Regulations on specific school construction contributions, suitable for each region

(Baonghean.vn) - Voters in some localities proposed to regulate specific levels of contributions for school construction (for each level of education, each region) so that people have responsibility together with the State in investing in construction. Because currently, although socialization is "voluntary", in fact, it is mandatory for people to contribute. Besides, each school and each locality has different collection levels, causing difficulties for schools, easily leading to negativity; on the other hand, it does not create high consensus among parents.

The relevant authorities responded to this issue as follows:

- Principles of implementing socialization in schools

The implementation of socialized education collection in schools is carried out according to the following principles:

1. Voluntary and for the right purpose: The mobilization and reception of social contributions for schools must thoroughly follow the principle of voluntariness between the two parties. Schools must not consider any form of contribution as a condition for providing educational services and must not stipulate a specific contribution level to force the subjects to participate in the contribution.

Joy on the first day of school at Le Mao Primary School (Vinh City). Illustration photo: Thanh Hung

At the same time, the contributor must not attach any binding conditions regarding privileges or benefits in enjoying educational services or the right to exploit economic benefits arising from assets and funds contributed to the school.

Schools receiving voluntary contributions are responsible for using the mobilized revenue sources for the right purposes.

2. Democracy, publicity, transparency: The process of managing and using voluntary contributions must ensure the requirements of democracy, publicity, and transparency according to the provisions of Circular No. 19/2005/TT-BTC dated March 11, 2005 of the Ministry of Finance guiding the financial disclosure of funds from the state budget and funds from people's contributions and Circular No. 09/2009/TT-BGDDT dated May 7, 2009 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the Regulation on public disclosure for educational institutions of the national education system.

Classroom following the VNEN model at Dung town primary school, Thanh Chuong, illustration photo by Minh Nguyet

3. Encourage organizations and individuals with contributions to organize the construction, purchase, and installation themselves with the agreement and guidance of the school.

Thus, according to regulations, mobilizing socialized education funds to strengthen infrastructure is based on the principle of voluntariness, not equality.

- Direction of the Department of Education and Training

Every year, the Provincial People's Committee directs the Department of Education and Training to issue documents directing units under the Department and education and training departments to manage the collection and expenditure of kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools in the area.

Physics class of students at Tuong Duong Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities. Illustration photo: Thanh Tung.

At the same time, send inspection teams to inspect schools, directly work and check the revenue and expenditure, report and handle incorrect revenue when violations occur at schools. Specifically, in the 2015-2016 school year, the Department of Education issued Official Dispatch No. 1326/SGD&DT-KHTC dated August 18, 2015 on instructions for implementing revenue and expenditure at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, Official Dispatch No. 1561/SGD&DT-VP dated September 15, 2015 on the request to strictly implement the revenue at the beginning of the school year; Inspection Conclusion No. 2200/KL-SGD&DT dated November 3, 2015 concluding the specialized inspection on the implementation of revenue at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.

After the inspection conclusion, the Department of Education requested to handle units with violations in implementing revenue and expenditure at the beginning of the school year.

Suggestions, proposals

- Party committees, authorities and organizations at all levels should do a better job of disseminating information on the implementation of collections, and coordinate with schools in mobilizing organizations and people from all walks of life to support and contribute to strengthening facilities and improving educational effectiveness;

Chau Hoi Primary School (Quy Chau) has spacious learning facilities, illustration photo: Thanh Tung

- The good and correct implementation of the collection of fees is a condition to ensure the teaching and learning activities of schools. However, in reality, the mobilization of "voluntary", "agreement", and "advocacy" has not met the development needs of education.

- Based on the regulations of the Central Government, the Department of Education and Training will advise the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial People's Council to consider issuing more specific mobilization mechanisms such as regulating the socialized fee collection framework for each region in accordance with the provisions of the Law.

PV (TH)