Students who want to watch the performance must buy an 'entrance ticket' of 20,000 VND, the principal said 'no pressure'

Semi-final night of school art performance, only those with entrance tickets can watch - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Students of Nguyen Van Thoai High School (Cam Le District, Da Nang City) said that the art program taking place on the evening of April 5 at the school's multi-purpose gymnasium had security forces checking entry papers at both entrances.

Must buy entrance ticket to watch the show

The program with the theme "Like the Dawn" consists of two parts, corresponding to two types of entrance tickets: 15,000 VND to watch the elegant student competition and 20,000 VND for the art program. Students register by class, pay the money to the School Union and receive tickets for distribution.

A group of students participating in the performance said they were able to see three free performances, including their class's performance and two adjacent performances.

"Buying tickets is not mandatory, but we want to watch other classes perform while performing, so it would be strange not to buy tickets. Performing students get a discount of 15,000 VND," said one student.

Some students said that only half of their class had registered to buy tickets. Parents who wanted to watch and cheer for their children had to buy tickets at the gate. The organizers arranged for teachers and students to act as collaborators to check the tickets, and those who did not have them would not be allowed inside.

When asked how they felt about having to buy tickets to watch a performance by their own students, many students were hesitant to share. Some said that the money helped support the organization's expenses.

What did the principal say?

Mr. Dang Hung Thuong - Principal of Nguyen Van Thoai High School, confirmed that the School Union issued admission tickets for the semi-final night of the art performance to celebrate April 30, major holidays in 2025 and the 5th anniversary of the school's founding.

According to Mr. Thuong, 28 classes participated in the semi-final round. The preliminary and semi-final rounds were not funded by the school, the school only funded the official performance night on April 19. Because they wanted the students to have a well-organized program, "to avoid feeling humiliated", the school's Youth Union issued entrance tickets to raise funds for the organization.

Nguyen Van Thoai High School, Da Nang - Photo: PHAN NGUYEN

"The students voluntarily registered to buy tickets to support, it is not mandatory. This is not selling tickets but issuing entrance tickets to support the cost of the stage, costumes, etc., it is not for business or profit, and is absolutely not forced. The school also requires the school's Youth Union to keep strict statistics on income and expenditure," Mr. Thuong explained.

According to Mr. Thuong, some parents came to watch the semi-final night without needing an entrance ticket, only students registered to buy tickets to support.

School activities should not have barriers.

A parent whose child is in grade 11 at the school believes that performing arts is a part of school life, students should be able to participate and enjoy without being bound by a piece of paper.

"I understand that this is voluntary, but without this paper, you won't be allowed to watch, which unintentionally creates pressure. Children go to school and have the right to participate in movement activities, especially when the program is performed by the students themselves.

If funds are needed, the school should mobilize parents or call on classes to contribute, instead of issuing vouchers that make students feel like everyone is buying - not buying is strange or being left out just because they lack a voucher. Organizing cultural activities is for students to have fun and bond, not to distinguish who has a voucher and who doesn't," this parent commented.

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DOAN NHAN - PHAN NGUYEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-sinh-muon-xem-van-nghe-phai-mua-giay-vao-cong-20-000-dong-hieu-truong-noi-khong-ep-buoc-20250418013733923.htm