What are circumstances in which the Parent - Teacher Committees in Vietnam are permissible to use operating funds?

What are circumstances in which the Parent - Teacher Committees in Vietnam are permissible to use operating funds?

According to Clause 2, Article 10 of the Regulations on the Parent - Teacher Committee issued with Circular 55/2011/TT-BGDDT, the use of funds of the Parent - Teacher Committee is regulated as follows:

Funds of the Parent - Teacher Committee

...

2. Management and use of the funds of the Parent - Teacher Committee:

a) The head of the Class Parent - Teacher Committee shall coordinate with the class homeroom teacher to draft a plan for the expenditure of donated and sponsored funds and shall only use them after obtaining the unanimous agreement of all members of the Class Parent - Teacher Committee;

b) The head of the School Parent - Teacher Committee shall consult with the Principal to decide on the plan to use donated and sponsored funds and shall only use them after obtaining the unanimous agreement of the School Parent - Teacher Committee.

Thus, the funds of the Parent - Teacher Committee can only be used when there is unanimous agreement from all members of the Class Parent - Teacher Committee.

What are circumstances in which the Parent - Teacher Committees in Vietnam are permissible to use operating funds?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are the duties and rights of the Head of the School Parent - Teacher Committee in Vietnam?

According to Article 7 of the Regulations on the Parent - Teacher Committee issued with Circular 55/2011/TT-BGDDT, the duties and rights of the head of the School Parent - Teacher Committee are as follows:

Duties of the head of the School Parent - Teacher Committee:

- Develop and organize the implementation of activities for parents, and the Parent - Teacher Committee as stipulated in Article 9 of these Regulations;

- Propose task assignments for the deputy heads and standing members for approval at the meetings of the entire School Parent - Teacher Committee;

- Prepare the content for the meetings of the School Parent - Teacher Committee;

- Gather opinions from Class Parent - Teacher Committees and parents to consult with the Principal on solutions.

Rights of the head of the School Parent - Teacher Committee:

- Chair meetings of the School Parent - Teacher Committee (except for meetings to elect the head of the School Parent - Teacher Committee);

- Coordinate with the school to organize educational activities for students;

- Organize the encouragement of students who drop out to continue their studies;

- Periodically work with the Principal on the activities of the School Parent - Teacher Committee;

- Address concerns of parents regarding the educational activities of the school;

Is possible to collect money from parents to build schools in Vietnam?

According to the provisions in Clause 4, Article 10 of Circular 55/2011/TT-BGDDT, there are specified expenditures that the Parent - Teacher Committee may not solicit from students or their families:

Funds of the Parent - Teacher Committee

...

3. The collection and expenditure of funds by the Parent - Teacher Committee must ensure principles of transparency and democracy; expenditures must be openly reported in financial settlements at class parent meetings and meetings of the entire School Parent - Teacher Committee. No average donation level is set for parents.

4. The Parent - Teacher Committee may not solicit funds from students or their families for:

a) Donations not based on voluntary principles.

b) Donations not directly serving the activities of the Parent - Teacher Committee: Protection of school assets, ensuring school security; supervision of students' transportation; cleaning classrooms and schools; rewarding school management, teachers, staff; procurement of machinery, equipment, teaching aids for the school, classrooms, school management, teachers, and staff; supporting management, teaching, and educational activities; repairing, upgrading, and constructing new school facilities.

Therefore, even if parents agree to donations for school construction, the Parent - Teacher Committee is not permitted to collect such funds.