The case of the parents' representative committee collecting funds for high-class students: The principal must demonstrate responsibility.

Cam Nghia 2 Primary School (Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province), where the parent-teacher association of class 2/2 set a high class fund fee, then reduced it by half – Photo: NGUYEN HOANG

As Tuoi Tre Online previously reported, the parent-teacher association of class 2/2 at Cam Nghia 2 Primary School (Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province) initially set a class fund fee of 300,000 VND, which was reduced to 150,000 VND after some parents voiced their concerns.

According to school leaders, the collection of class funds is carried out independently by the parent-teacher association of class 2/2, and is not implemented by the school. If any collection takes place, it is on a voluntary basis and no specific amount of money is required.

Assigning responsibility to the principal for the activities of the parent-teacher association.

Some readers have reported that their children are also subject to class fund contributions at school.

Reader Ngoc reported that her child's class is in a similar situation; the student council is asking for contributions to the scholarship fund and sponsorship fund, but they haven't specified whether it's voluntary or not, only requesting each person to contribute 500,000 VND to those two funds.

"When parents spoke up in the group, the class representatives didn't say anything about returning the money or giving any opinion. As class representatives, they should be aware of the situation and then inform the class, because not every family has the financial means to pay the general amount," reader Ngoc commented.

Reader Nguyen Chau suggests that if the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that fund collection should be voluntary and not impose a fixed amount, then school principals should be held accountable, and teachers and parent associations should be held strictly responsible for supervising the funds.

"If any school allows its parent association or parent representative board to collect fees improperly, the principal will be held responsible. I believe that from now on, there will no longer be instances of excessive or improper fee collection at the beginning of each school year," commented reader Nguyen Chau.

School leaders must promptly disseminate this information.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , a leader of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Education and Training stated that the announcement by the parent-teacher association regarding the collection of class funds with a specific amount is incorrect and not in accordance with regulations.

According to this person, if the parent-teacher association wants to collect fees, they must hold a meeting to reach an agreement with all relevant parties.

Before implementing any fee collection, discussions must be held with the school leadership. When the parent-teacher association wants to collect any fees, the principal and school leaders must promptly explain the situation.

"From the perspective of the Provincial Department of Education and Training, the Planning and Finance Department annually advises the department to remind schools to collect fees in accordance with regulations, while the district-level People's Committees and education and training departments must direct their subordinate institutions," said a leader of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Education and Training.

Meanwhile, the principal of a primary school in Nha Trang City said that in meetings, they always explain, and even instruct the parent-teacher association very carefully, that the collection of funds must comply with the spirit of Circular 55 of the Ministry of Education and Training.

According to the principal, the collection of fees must be voluntary; parents who agree can contribute, and all income and expenses must comply with regulations and be fully documented.

"Sometimes, in certain classes, parents discuss and decide on their own, but the school leadership still has to supervise and remind them, ensuring that absolutely no regulations are violated," the principal said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vu-ban-dai-dien-cha-me-hoc-sinh-thu-quy-lop-cao-hieu-truong-phai-the-hien-vai-tro-trach-nhiem-20241008101222122.htm