Parents and principal cause chaos at graduation ceremony in Quang Binh
The kindergarten principal and parents argued about revenue and expenditure, causing chaos at the graduation ceremony for 5-year-old students. The head of the education department said it was "heartbreaking".
The incident happened at Kindergarten No. 1, Quy Dat town, Minh Hoa district (Quang Binh), 5 days ago.
According to a three-minute video posted on social media, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, the president of the parents’ association, was invited to the podium to speak. There, she said that the school had called for donations to buy 22 lockers for classrooms at a price of 6 million VND each. However, many parents did not agree. The school then quoted a price of 4 million VND and did not receive approval but had already placed an order.
While Ms. Lien was speaking, many students and parents below reacted. A man spoke up, saying that this was a happy day for the children, and that such things should not be mentioned. If they continued, he would take his child home. Meanwhile, a teacher said that Ms. Lien was the president of the parents' association, had asked for permission and had the right to speak, and everyone had to respect that. The scene became more and more chaotic.
At this point, the principal took the microphone, walked to the podium, and asked Ms. Lien to stop and would work with the parents later, but Ms. Lien continued to speak. The two sides argued among dozens of students in graduation gowns.
On the evening of May 29, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tho, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Minh Hoa district, said he had received the information.
"I am heartbroken and ashamed to see such bad images appearing on social media," he said.
Last night, the People's Committee of Minh Hoa district established a surprise inspection team on revenue and expenditure at Kindergarten No. 1, Quy Dat town.
According to Circular 16/2018 of the Ministry of Education and Training, schools are allowed to mobilize and receive funding to renovate, repair, and purchase equipment and supplies for teaching.
To implement this, schools must make a plan and get approval from higher authorities. In addition, the mobilization and receipt of sponsorship must be voluntary and public, without any regulations on average or minimum sponsorship levels. Schools must not take advantage of this to force parents to contribute.