Changing Kindergarten Types: Part 2 - Low Quality, High Tuition?
(Baonghean.vn).This school year, just about a week after the first day of school and close to the opening day of the new school year, at the smallest level in the Education sector in the city, an event has arisen that has caused a stir in public opinion because the tuition fees of 13 kindergartens in the city have doubled compared to last year.
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Ms. Le Huyen, a vendor at Hung Dung market, said: "In times of inflation, prices of all kinds are increasing, we know that very well. But doubling tuition fees at kindergarten with just the explanation "because of implementing a high-quality program" is really not worth it.
Faced with the news of the tuition increase, most parents only asked each other why it was so high, but did not dare to complain to the teacher or the principal. They are waiting for an official forum at the parent meeting. Many are also hesitant because it was difficult to get their children into school, and when they got in they were thanked profusely, so who dares to complain now? However, some parents have questioned it - Ms. Dang Thuong, a high school teacher currently living in Truong Thi ward, said: "In my opinion, that tuition fee is acceptable. However, we have only been informed that from this school year, the school will follow Decision No. 40 of the Provincial People's Committee regulating the tuition fee for public preschools implementing high-quality programs with partial autonomy in operating costs. Accordingly, the fee in the city is 540,000 VND/student/month. What is that high-quality program, what benefits our children will receive from this program, no one has explained yet".
Teacher Pham Thi Hang Hai, Vice Principal of Quang Trung 2 Kindergarten, Vinh City, said: "Quang Trung 2 Kindergarten, like other kindergartens in the province, is currently implementing the program that has been implemented in the past few years. We have not yet implemented a high-quality program, but if the school were renovated and upgraded its facilities, and the children could study in better conditions, then there would be a reason to charge higher tuition fees, and then parents would have less questions."
Not only schools assigned to implement the high-quality program are hesitant, but local authorities are also hesitant. Teacher Nguyen Thi To Lan, Principal of Hung Dung 1 Kindergarten, said: "Before implementing tuition collection according to Decision No. 40/2011/QD.UBND, the school reported to the Party Committee and the People's Committee of the ward. The ward leaders clearly stated: If the superiors require implementing the high-quality program to collect tuition at a high level, they have to accept it, but if the school registers to do so, the ward does not agree. As for parents, they reacted strongly and some spoke very harshly. Faced with that reality, the school has only temporarily collected at 350,000 VND/student/month, and at the same time sent a document to the superiors, requesting permission to only collect at a level of 300,000 VND to 400,000 VND/student/month.
High-quality schools and schools implementing high-quality programs are two different concepts. What is a high-quality school? According to Circular 07/2011/TT-BGDDT dated February 17, 2011 issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, it only stipulates criteria for assessing the quality of a preschool, but does not stipulate criteria for a high-quality preschool. As far as we know, up to this point, the Ministry of Education and Training has not issued any document promulgating criteria for high-quality preschools and high-quality preschool education programs. Thus, Decision 40 of the Provincial People's Committee (issued based on Decree 49 of the Government) is a decision to anticipate a new policy.
Thao Nhi