VietNamNet Bridge – Public opinion was stirred in recent weeks when newspapers reported that hundreds of million of dong were being wastefully invested in expensive classrooms at some State-owned schools in Ha Noi.

The classes are a by-product of a new pilot education model, the so-called digital inter-active class. The model aims to improve education quality through the application of advanced information technology and multi-media equipment.

However, many schools have already "adopted" the new system, even giving the revamped classes the title "high quality", even though the model is only at the testing stage. One mother, Ha Thu Huong, has a son who began his first school year at Trung Trac Primary School in Hai Ba Trung District in September. Huong complained that she unwillingly had to pay an extra VND2.5 million (US$120) for her son to follow the digital inter-active class model in 5 years.

The school told parents that the new teaching system would be introduced in their children's classes if parents bought the necessary equipment and tools. It even organised workshops to demonstrate the new equipment's advantages to parents. Parents were then told that students who didn't want to attend would be moved back to normal classes.

"I don't want to let my son down by allowing him to be separated from his regular teachers and friends," said Huong, adding she had no other choice than to pay the money so as to keep the school, teachers and her son happy. "They told me that a sum of $120-150 would be an inexpensive investment for the next five school years."

Parents at the school had to spend a total of about $8,000 to buy multi-media systems, such as interactive boards, projectors, pens, remote voting systems, and software for each interactive class of about 50 students. The pilot programme was implemented in about six classes at Trung Trac School, twice the designed number because parents wanted to keep everyone happy.

Air conditioners

At Nguyen Trai Primary School in neighbouring Thanh Xuan District, parents poured about US$14,500 to turn two first-grade classes into places for students whose parents could afford the change. But, the rest of the school's students still study under the old system.

Apart from buying multi-media education system, the school bought new study tables and chairs and equipped classrooms with new air conditioners, lighting and door curtains. They even covered the classroom floor with timber and painted the walls anew.

Trung Trac and Nguyen Trai are among more than 100 state kindergartens and schools applying the pilot education model. Headmistress of Trung Trac School Duong Thu Ha said students were excited to study in the inter-active class. "The new education model will inspire children's love of learning and, through that, teaching and learning will be improved," she said.

However, the model that many school leaders and parents are quick to adopt is causing headaches for others. "I was sad when my daughter asked me why she could not study in the neighbouring beautiful classroom equipped with an air-conditioner and good decoration," said Dang Phuong Lien who has a daughter at Trung Trac School. "She was moved to another class because I don't have enough money for the new. How can I explain this to her?" said Lien.

Pham Hong Thai, a retired teacher in Hoang Mai District, said that the model was creating contradiction and discrimination between rich and poor students in State schools. He said that "high quality" classes were similar to high quality services in hospitals. "It means priority for special treatment is available only to those who have the money," he added.

"These classrooms only serve a small group of students from rich families. I don't know whether a bad learner would become a good learner in such a class," said Thai.

Former Minister of Education and Training Pham Minh Hac agreed that the new model could create discrimination in schools. Hac said that the Education and Training Ministry required students to wear school uniforms so that there would be no differentiation between rich and poor. "All students, even if they come from rich families or wear expensive clothes outside school, have been equal in education," said Hac.

In the nation's burgeoning market economy, moneyed "important" people have featured in private places like hotels, clubs, bars. However, now they are taking over public places like State hospitals and schools. Parents are beginning to realise that they have unintentionally helped to create private classes in State schools – with the support of school leaders.

Parents and teachers deserve criticism for wasting money on such elitist classes. The conversion of a pilot scheme that has merit into a new "class" system has no place in the future of Viet Nam or its children.

VietNamNet/VNS