In its response, the Minister of Education and Training stated that the parent-teacher association (PTA) operates according to the regulations in the Charter of the Parent-Teacher Association, issued with Circular No. 55 dated November 22, 2011, by the Minister of Education and Training. This circular clearly states that the PTA is responsible for coordinating with the school in the care, nurturing, and education of children and students. The operating budget of the PTA is regulated by this circular; the PTA is prohibited from collecting non-voluntary donations or contributions that do not directly serve the PTA's activities.
The scandal involving over 300 million VND in parent fund management caused a stir in Ho Chi Minh City in September 2023. The school held a parent meeting and returned the money to the parents that same night.
Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Training clearly outlines the prohibited fees, including: protecting school facilities and ensuring school security; supervising students' transportation; cleaning classrooms and the school grounds; rewarding school administrators, teachers, and staff; purchasing machinery, equipment, and teaching materials for the school, classrooms, or for school administrators, teachers, and staff; supporting management, teaching organization, and educational activities; and repairing, upgrading, or constructing new school facilities. However, according to the Ministry of Education and Training, some educational institutions are still not complying with regulations and are still collecting excessive supplementary funds, causing frustration among parents.
The Ministry of Education and Training stated that it is conducting thorough research to revise regulations on the operating charter of parent representative boards; directing educational institutions to improve coordination between families and schools in organizing educational activities. It is also strengthening communication to ensure that parents and the public understand the regulations in Circular No. 55 correctly, especially regarding unauthorized fees.
According to Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), parent representatives also need skills, guidance, and training to properly implement regulations. The criteria for electing members of the parent association need to be clear and transparent to select the right people who truly represent the will of the students' parents.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Psychology and Education, argues that in reality, many schools are abusing parent-teacher associations to collect various fees outside of regulations. However, this phenomenon should not lead to the abolition of parent-teacher associations. Instead of focusing solely on collecting various funds, we should cooperate to ensure these associations function properly, which is to support schools in carrying out educational activities in a systematic manner. The goal is to ensure that parent-teacher associations do not represent anyone else. They must be themselves, so that when excessive fees are collected, the head of the educational institution and the homeroom teacher are held responsible, not the parent-teacher association.
Due to limited resources for public education, educational institutions urgently need to mobilize social resources. However, schools and teachers should focus on excelling in their professional work, while local authorities should take the lead in mobilizing support instead of the schools. Only then will things be clear and transparent.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-can-ban-dai-dien-phu-huynh-185240601222434628.htm
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