Principal texted to appeal for sponsorship

Ms. NHM, whose child studies at Dinh Son Secondary School (Dinh Son Commune, Anh Son District, Nghe An), said that at the parent meeting at the beginning of the school year, the homeroom teacher and principal of the school announced 11 collections for the entire school year, emphasizing the "funding" of 350,000 VND/student.

In addition, the principal of Dinh Son Secondary School also participates in all Zalo groups of parents of each class, proactively sending messages to call for educational sponsorship.

Table of 11 fees at the beginning of the school year at Dinh Son Secondary School. Photo provided by parents

“Funding must be voluntary, but the school’s fee of 350,000 VND per student is self-determined. The principal and homeroom teacher both want parents to pay in full. If it’s not enough this year, we’ll continue to raise funds next year. Although the amount of money raised for education funding is not large, it combined with other fees puts pressure on many parents,” Ms. M. confided.

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Parents reported that Mr. Nguyen Huu Hong, Principal of Dinh Son Secondary School, proactively sent a message to the Zalo group calling for sponsorship. Photo provided by parents

At Dinh Son Primary School, each parent with a first grader was asked to pay 270,000 VND to buy a television worth over 10 million VND each for teachers to use in teaching. This action also caused many people to disagree.

Parent D.TV whose child just entered first grade at this school said that parents who send their children to school only need to pay the required fees and are not responsible for purchasing equipment for teaching and learning.

“The school not having a TV does not mean forcing parents to buy one. Parents who voluntarily support and sponsor the school are their own people,” Ms. V. said.

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Mr. Tran Van Phu, Principal of Dinh Son Primary School, shares about the new TV that was bought for first graders. Photo: Quoc Huy

Also in Anh Son district (Thanh Hoa), Hoa Son Secondary School (Hoa Son commune) has 13 collections at the beginning of the school year, with a total amount of nearly 4.3 million VND, including 500,000 VND in educational support, 1.6 million VND in extra classes, 100,000 VND in photocopying exam papers...

Many parents at this school also complained that paying for a TV felt like they were being "forced".

"Permission has been requested from the Department of Education and Training"

Speaking with VietNamNet, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hong - Principal of Dinh Son Secondary School said that this year, the school has submitted a request to the district Department of Education and Training for permission to mobilize about 155 million VND in sponsorship from a total of nearly 500 students.

The money is expected to be used to buy 6 sets of computers worth more than 50 million VND; 50 sets of student desks and chairs worth 62 million VND; repair toilets, electrical systems, and light bulbs worth 15 million VND and pay off previous school year's debt worth 27 million VND.

“The school did not give a specific amount of mobilization, only hoping to achieve the set plan. All my classes participated in the Zalo group. The teacher's proposal of 350 thousand VND per student is wrong. I will check again. The teacher's statement is not in line with the spirit of fundraising,” Mr. Hong expressed.

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Dinh Son Secondary School, Dinh Son Commune, Anh Son District. Photo: QH

Mr. Tran Van Phu, Principal of Dinh Son Primary School, admitted that in the new school year, 4 first graders have just contributed money to buy televisions for teaching. This was a proposal from teachers during a parent-teacher meeting.

“Because of the new curriculum, the TV purchase has been taking place since 2020. Each TV costs more than 10 million VND. The school supports about 3 million VND for boards, network cables, electricity and internet,” Mr. Phu informed.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Thuy, Vice Principal of Hoa Son Secondary School, said that at the beginning of this school year, the school proposed to mobilize 160 to 170 million VND in sponsorship to spend on building facilities and serving students.

Mr. Thuy did not acknowledge that parents of children in grade 6 had to contribute 500,000 VND/student. According to him, the contribution was voluntary.

Head of the Department of Education and Training of Anh Son District (Nghe An) Doan Van Thanh said that the departments of the district People's Committee are assessing the collection fees of each school, then consulting with Anh Son District to allow the collection level according to the agreement.

“Regarding education sponsorship activities, the department is reviewing the plan, and no school has implemented it yet. We will re-examine after feedback. If there are any mistakes, we will have to stop and handle them,” Mr. Thanh affirmed.

A teacher at Chuong Duong Primary School was asked by dozens of parents to change her homeroom teacher. The reason was that she asked parents to support buying laptops, but when they disagreed, she did not prepare review outlines for students.