Arguing about the year-end donation, parents' association 'divides into factions like children'

Just returning from the parent-teacher meeting of her 2nd grade son, Ms. Nguyen Khanh Huyen (38 years old, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi ) was surprised to be added to 4 parent chat groups.

"I thought a group of all the parents in the class was enough, I don't understand why there are 3-4 groups," said Ms. Huyen. In addition to the general group of 35 parents, the remaining 3 groups only have 10-15 people, sharing the same "story" of contributing and supporting at the beginning of the school year, but each group has a different point of view.

Ms. Huyen said that during the meeting, the representative of the parents' association stood up to call for an additional contribution of 1.5 million VND to the fund. When asked what the 1.5 million VND would be used for, the head of the association only stated in general that it was a reserve fund in case a teacher or student in the class got sick, had good news... for any unexpected expenses, but the specifics of how it would arise depended on each case.

Many parents compare the first parent meeting of the year to a "call" for support. (Illustration photo)

This idea was approved by about 1/3 of the parents in the class, the rest strongly opposed it, or remained neutral and followed the majority. Because there was no consensus, the homeroom teacher suggested that the parents think about it and come to a consensus after 1 week.

Therefore, 3-4 chat groups were created for parents to call each other to the same "side".

"It's a bit harsh to say, but I feel like the parent association is like a bunch of kids, forming cliques, pulling each other in, this group badmouthing the other group. Because I maintain a neutral attitude, I was added to most of the groups, everyone wanted to convince them," Ms. Huyen did not think her decision could have much of an impact on the activities of the parent association.

She herself maintains a neutral attitude because she understands that, in a school year, there are expenses that are difficult to name in front of the class, such as gifts for teachers on October 20, November 20, Tet, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc., which are called "unexpected expenses" but in fact, the 1 million is an amount that has been carefully planned for what it will be used for.

Although Ms. Huyen understood, she still hesitated because 1.5 million is not a small amount of money. At the beginning of the new school year, the money for books, uniforms, regular classes, and extra classes has already cost families an entire month's salary, so an additional 1.5 million is also a concern.

"I wonder, for a second grader who only needs to be good and acquire basic knowledge without competing for achievements, is it necessary to contribute so much "extra" money? Even though I know that it is the parents' feelings to send to the teachers, but for a class of 35 students, equivalent to 52.5 million VND, is this gratitude too much?" , Ms. Huyen wondered.

Parents argue in front of class

Ms. Dinh Thu Trang (42 years old, Ha Dong, Hanoi) only wishes to be like Ms. Huyen because according to her, creating a chat group to discuss is still a delicate and discreet action, unlike her child's class, where parents stood up and argued one-on-one right in the first meeting of the year.

Ms. Trang said that some parents suggested paying to install a new air conditioner because the one given to the previous class was old and not cold enough, so their children were not cool.

Parents have a conflict over the year-end contribution. (Illustration photo)

"According to my research, the air conditioner my child's class is using is not too old, it was bought by the previous class 4 years ago, this year the children are moving up the grade so they gave it to my child's class. From grade 1 to grade 5, my child's class has always been placed in classes with existing air conditioners, there has never been a year when parents suggested buying a new one like this year," said Ms. Trang.

Opposing the above opinion, a parent said: "Buying a new air conditioner is a waste because next year when the children go to secondary school they won't be able to use it anymore." Another parent said: "The air conditioner might not be cool because it's out of gas. Just hire a technician to clean it and it will be cooler."

Just because of the decision to buy or not to buy, the parents argued fiercely. Some even stood up and argued loudly in front of the teacher, making the atmosphere of the meeting extremely tense.

To avoid overcharging at the beginning of the school year, the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that the "parent representative board" collects donations from students for the following items: protecting school facilities; supervising students' means of transportation; cleaning classrooms and schools; rewarding school administrators, teachers and staff; purchasing machinery, equipment and teaching aids for schools, classrooms or for school administrators, teachers and staff; supporting management, teaching and learning organization and educational activities; repairing, upgrading and building new school buildings.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tranh-cai-tien-ung-ho-dau-nam-hoi-phu-huynh-chia-be-ket-phai-nhu-tre-con-ar897379.html