Previously, the internet was abuzz with information about a parent who accused her child of taking a math test (public 10th grade entrance exam) when the invigilator asked him to take the test paper into the restroom to take a photo.

The incident is said to have occurred at Nguyen Dang Dao High School, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province.

Students accuse school of charging unreasonable fees

Recently, in a public Facebook group with more than 62,000 members, an account posted an article "accusing" Nguyen Dang Dao High School (Bac Ninh) of collecting many fees and many unreasonable fees.

In addition, according to the reporter's investigation, some 12th grade students are spreading the story that some classes collect a 'failure prevention fee' of about 500,000 VND/student for the graduation exam. According to the reflection, teachers only verbally announce this fee, without recording a receipt like other fees.

According to Tuoi Tre Online 's investigation, the fees collected by a 12th grade class of this school during the year-end parent meeting held in April 2024 are as follows:

The total receipts collected at class are 2.3 million VND/student. Of which, 1.52 million VND is for the extra classes in May and June; 150,000 VND for the second high school graduation exam (May 14 and 15); 150,000 VND for the fifth assessment exam (June); 150,000 VND for the 12th grade graduation ceremony (scheduled to be held on June 18); 200,000 VND for the end-of-year party.

In addition, air conditioning electricity fee is 50,000 VND; graduation exam publications fee is 50,000 VND (including exam papers and exam cards); graduation certificate fee is 30,000 VND.

Is there a school that collects 'anti-slip fees'?

In response to information from students reporting that the school canceled the coming-of-age ceremony for 12th graders but did not pay the students, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dung, principal of Nguyen Dang Dao High School, said that the collection of money for the gratitude ceremony and party was planned by the homeroom teacher and agreed with the parents to collect the money.

"The school has nothing to do with the organization," Mr. Dung affirmed.

"I just informed the homeroom teacher 3-4 days ago, however during this time the homeroom teacher has not refunded the money to the students because some are grading exams, some want to organize their own class because everything has been prepared.

On the morning of June 14, I informed the homeroom teachers to clearly state to the students what the plan is if there is an organization, and if there is no organization, I will ask the students to pay," said Mr. Dung.

According to Mr. Dung, in previous years, 12th graders would have a coming-of-age ceremony and gratitude ceremony after finishing their course. However, this year, the Department of Education and Training directed towards ensuring traffic safety, so the school will not organize meals or gratitude ceremonies anymore.

Explaining why the school collected 150,000 VND for the 5th survey (June) from April 2024, when in fact this exam was completely free of charge by the department, Mr. Dung also affirmed: "I never directed the collection of this amount of money."

According to Mr. Dung, the previously estimated amount of money collected was also agreed upon by the homeroom teacher and the parents. If there is any surplus, it will be returned to the students after August 16.

"The school organizes four assessment exams each year based on parents' suggestions at the beginning of the year. Each exam fee is 150,000 VND/student," said Mr. Dung. In response to information that the school collects a "preventive fee" for high school graduation of 500,000 VND/student, the fee is only announced verbally and there is no receipt, Mr. Dung affirmed that the school has never collected a preventive fee for high school graduation.

"The district has supported 5 million VND/exam room, we have 36 rooms corresponding to 180 million VND so we do not collect those fees. Here, there is a tradition of students voluntarily showing gratitude to their teachers after graduation," Mr. Dung explained.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen Duc Ha, head of the Department of Education Quality Management, Bac Ninh Department of Education and Training, said that the mock exam last June organized by the department was completely free of charge. If the school charged incorrectly, it would be responsible.

According to Mr. Ha, the department's view is that issues need to be clarified and transparent, and violations will be strictly handled according to regulations.