Proposal to maintain canteen and parking lot for students

On August 1, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City sent a document to the Standing Committee of the People's Council and the Standing Committee of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, proposing to remove difficulties in making plans to use public assets for leasing and association at public service units in the education and training sector.

According to the Department of Education and Training, the organization of services such as canteens and parking lots is an urgent need for students to ensure food hygiene and safety and ensure security and order at the school gate. However, up to now, many schools no longer maintain canteens and parking lots for students, causing difficulties for schools and society.

Canteen of Le Quy Don Primary School, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Le Quy Don Primary School

The Department of Education and Training said that it is necessary to have a solution for schools in approving projects to use public assets to ensure that educational activities take place stably and smoothly. Moreover, approving projects to use public assets also helps to avoid wasting public assets in public schools, helping schools have more revenue to reinvest in education, have more welfare sources for staff and increase taxes for the State budget.

To overcome the difficulties, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has made proposals and recommendations to relevant departments, branches and the City. Specifically, for the Department of Finance, according to the guidance of the Ministry of Finance , there are currently no specific regulations and instructions on how and how to organize and implement auxiliary activities (canteens, parking lots, etc.), so some units have proactively organized the implementation but have not yet brought about feasible results. The Department of Education and Training requested the Department of Finance to clarify the above content and provide specific instructions so that units have a basis for implementation.

In the case of units organizing canteens and parking lots but the units do not have enough human resources, expertise and experience to organize these activities, it is recommended that educational institutions hire units to organize and operate them according to the provisions of the law on auctions. However, hiring units to organize and operate public assets requires specific guidance documents from the Department of Finance so that units have a basis for implementation.

The Department of Education and Training proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee approve the policy for public service units under the Education and Training sector (including preschools, primary schools, junior high schools, high schools and other public educational institutions in the city) to continue to maintain parking lots, canteens, swimming pools, gymnasiums, sports fields, and classrooms to serve the learning and training needs of teachers and students during and after school hours from the 2024-2025 school year to avoid wasting existing facilities, while having funds for regular maintenance and repair of school facilities. However, educational institutions need to conduct public and transparent auctions, ensure fire prevention and fighting safety, food safety and hygiene, and properly fulfill financial obligations according to current regulations.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-de-xuat-duy-tri-cang-tin-bai-giu-xe-cho-hoc-sinh.html