Comments on the article: What solutions are there to mobilize resources to build schools?

Editor's note: After the column "Provincial People's Council Delegates Speak, Do and Listen" in Nghe An Newspaper published on September 7, 2011, the article: What solutions are there to mobilize resources to build schools? The Nghe An Newspaper editorial office received many comments from readers, parents and education managers:

Teacher Nguyen Van Que - Principal of Hung Trung Secondary School (Hung Nguyen):

The policy of stopping the collection of construction fees is a major and highly humane policy of the Party and the State, aiming to create favorable conditions and encourage learners and families with children of school age, especially when the economic conditions of the people are still poor and difficult. However, in some aspects, stopping the collection of construction fees has caused difficulties for general schools. For example, our school is located in a rural area, the local budget is small and there are no businesses located in the commune. If we do not mobilize people to contribute, where will we get the funds to repair, upgrade, and renovate school facilities, classrooms, playgrounds, practice grounds, parking lots, functional classrooms, etc.

When implementing voluntary mobilization, some people contribute and some do not, so the mobilized resources are too small, making it very difficult for schools to build and purchase facilities and teaching aids.

Teacher Dinh Thi Hien - Principal of Cua Nam Primary School (Vinh City):

The movement according to the policy of the Provincial People's Committee (2008) means that it is voluntary, not equal, parents who have economic conditions pay more, parents whose conditions are too difficult do not participate in paying. That is the theory, but in the process of implementation, schools really have a hard time, because it is voluntary, not mandatory, so not everyone is fully aware of the responsibility of parents. It is okay for families with very difficult circumstances to participate in paying, but there are also families with good economic conditions but they still do not contribute. Some parents think that children studying at school all have the same rights, so the obligations must be fulfilled equally, it is unreasonable that some pay more, some pay less, or even some do not pay. The problem is that in order to have good facilities to serve students' learning, there needs to be binding regulations to attach the responsibility of parents to take care of the learning environment of their children.

Teacher Tran Dinh Huong - Principal of Khanh Son Secondary School (Nam Dan):

"Not allowing the collection of school construction fees but the plan to build facilities is still set, has invisibly created pressure on the schools; there is also pressure from public opinion from parents who believe that, although the State does not require payment of construction fees, schools are still required to pay. Let's re-examine the issue if the conditions are guaranteed, is there a case of overcharging to cover expenses in schools, which public opinion still believes is actually happening in some schools today?!".

Mr. Le Van Ngo - Director of Department of Education and Training:

My point of view is that we should not stop collecting school construction fees because this is the basic source of support for the repair and renovation of school facilities, classrooms, and the purchase of teaching equipment. In practice, contributing labor and money to build facilities has been ingrained in the subconscious of parents whose children have been going to school for decades. Stopping collecting school construction fees while there is no State support to compensate, creates a deadlock in building facilities. The State needs to research and solve the problem so that the education sector and society can fully realize their responsibility for the cause of educating people.

Ms. Ton Thi Cam Ha - Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee, Provincial People's Council:

It must be understood that tuition fees collected from students are spent on: salaries for school staff, teachers, and employees; a portion is allocated to schools that do not collect tuition fees; investment in repairing and purchasing school facilities, classrooms, and teaching equipment; and expenses for regular activities. That is, tuition fees include money for building facilities, schools, and classrooms. However, in reality, the current tuition fee level still does not meet the need for investment in repairing and purchasing facilities and teaching equipment. While tuition fees have not increased, the Government has issued a policy to stop collecting school construction fees, which has really made schools face difficulties. To overcome this problem, first of all, the State needs to increase the budget investment for the education sector to build school facilities and classrooms. It is also important to promote propaganda and explain to the people their responsibilities towards education, and to invest with the State in facilities to meet teaching and learning needs. At the same time, we need to strengthen socialization and mobilize organizations, businesses and philanthropists to contribute resources to build educational facilities.

Mai Hoa (written)