Primary school in Vinh city asks Parents Association to return money for hiring homeroom teacher

Previously, at around 1:30 p.m. on August 3, a parent whose child is studying at Doi Cung Primary School (Vinh City) shared about a "ridiculous story" in her child's class when the parents' association asked each family to contribute 300,000 VND to choose a good teacher to teach their child's second grade class.

Along with this sharing, the parents also took a screenshot of the class's private Zalo group phone, in which there was a message from a parent named PMN "asking for opinions from parents in the class about choosing a homeroom teacher for their child in grade 2". At the same time, the association also launched a contribution of 300,000 VND/child and "parents who can afford to contribute more are better" to "all for the class and for our children".

When this information was shared on social media, many parents expressed their indignation, some even saying that this situation was happening in many schools. Many also wondered if this was a real incident, it would "sow the seeds of a culture of lobbying and secret dealing for children".

Doi Cung Primary School (Vinh City). Photo: My Ha

Regarding this incident, Nghe An Newspaper discussed with the leaders of the school mentioned in the above sharing and the school's board of directors confirmed that this was a real incident, which occurred at the Parents' Association of Class 1A, of Doi Cung Primary School.

Speaking more about this, teacher Lai Thi Thai Ha - Principal of the school said: Upon receiving the information, yesterday afternoon, the school invited the Parents' Association of class 1A, the parent who stood up to call on parents in the class and parents who shared information online to come to work.

The message from the Parents Association of Class 1A raising money to hire a homeroom teacher was shared on social networks.

Through the understanding from the association and parents, the school principal also said: The parents all admitted this with the reason "class 1A has too many male students, so they want to find a strict homeroom teacher to be the homeroom teacher, to train the sense of organization and discipline". After that, the association asked for the parents' opinions and suggested that each person contribute 300,000 VND to hire a homeroom teacher. During the implementation process, the association also asked parents to send private messages if they had any questions, but later, the association's representative blocked the parents' messages, leading to frustration.

Admissions guidance document of Doi Cung Primary School issued on August 1, 2022. Photo: My Ha

Regarding the reason for the money collection, the school principal said that this was the opinion of 21 parents in the class and so far 3 parents have paid. However, "this morning we asked the association to return the money to the parents."

The principal of Doi Cung Primary School confirmed: After having a plan to arrange teachers for each grade, the school will let teachers draw lots to be in charge of the homeroom class. This issue has been made public in the Enrollment Plan and all parents are aware of it.

Discussing this issue, Ms. Hoang Phuong Thao - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Vinh City also said: After receiving the information, the department directed the school to clarify the content as soon as possible to promptly inform parents.

Admission guidance document issued by the Vinh City Department of Education and Training on July 20, 2022. Photo: My Ha

On the part of the Vinh City Department of Education and Training, to limit negativity in selecting classes and homeroom teachers, for the past 3 years the department has directed schools to conduct lotteries to create objectivity.

Recently, on July 20, 2022, the Vinh City Department of Education and Training also issued Document No. 493 on the implementation of enrollment work for the 2022-2023 school year, and instructions on class arrangement and homeroom teacher arrangement.

Specifically: After having a plan to arrange teachers for each grade, the school organizes for teachers to draw lots for homeroom classes (implemented in all grades for primary school and grade 6 for secondary school). The plan to assign homeroom teachers is included in the enrollment plan, publicly posted, and widely disseminated so that teachers and parents of students are aware./.