VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi is going to launch a pilot project in which parents will supervise and partly decide what exactly their fees will pay for at public schools.

The project will be piloted at five education facilities, from October 2013 until the end of July 2014, before it is implemented across Hanoi. This is an attempt by the Hanoi Association of Psychology and Education to prevent schools from illegally collecting extra fees from students.

During the first two weeks after school year 2013-2014 started, schools held meetings with parents to talk about possible changes in their programs and to collect required fees. But several kinds of fees have puzzled the parents.

Pham Thi Thuong, who has a child at a nursery school in Dong Anh District said, "We paid for a lot of things like school supplies, some equipment, clean water and lunch, but the headmaster asked us to pay VND417,000 (USD20) more for air conditioners and wardrobes. When we asked about school supplies and equipment that we already paid for, they couldn't give us an explanation."

Nguyen Tung Lam, president of Hanoi Association of Psychology and Education said, normally, every school has a council of parents to supervise how the school works, however, these councils have been corrupted. "The council is just for show because all fees are set by the school. We decided to do as they said or else our children may be bullied by their own teachers." a parent said.

Not only does the new project let parents supervise how the school works but also improves their position in the decision-making process. Members of the new council will include parents and representatives of social associations where the schools are located-- such as the Study Promotion Association or the Women's Union.

"Schools will need signatures from this council if they want to use the money contributed by parents, and also this council must take responsibility if they overspend the fund." Lam said.

Nguyen Ngoc Quang, deputy head of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training said the project will help parents understand more clearly where their money actually goes.

Nguyen Thi Hue, director of Hoang Mai Centre for Continuing Education, one of the pilot schools, said, "We have to make schools understand that this council is here to help them, not to make trouble. Schools then will reach an agreement with parents, provide a better quality education, complete with transparent financial procedures."

DTriNews/danviet