After a proctor was accused of taking photos of exam papers in the restroom, students accused the school of collecting 'anti-failure fees'.

Nguyen Dang Dao High School, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

Previously, the internet was abuzz with news that a parent had accused the invigilator of asking his child to take the test into the restroom to take a photo while he was taking a math test (for the 10th grade public school entrance exam).

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 unreasonable amounts of money.

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

Below the article is a photo of the article accusing the invigilator of forcing the candidate to take the exam paper early to the restroom to take a photo - Photo: screenshot

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

The total receipts collected at class are 2.3 million VND/student. Of which, 1.52 million VND is for the intensive study fee 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 graduation ceremony for grade 12 students (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 publication fee is 50,000 VND (including exam paper and exam card); graduation certificate fee is 30,000 VND.

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

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 upon with the parents.

"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, if there is an organization, what is the plan, if there is no organization, I will ask the students to pay," said Mr. Dung.

Mr. Dung's message to the homeroom teacher of class 12 about stopping the gathering gratitude ceremony, the homeroom teacher will return the money to the students if the ceremony is not held. The message was sent on the morning of June 14 - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

According to Mr. Dung, in previous years, 12th grade students 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 maintaining 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 excess, it will be returned to the students after August 16.

"Every year, the school organizes the assessment exam 4 times based on the parents' proposal at the beginning of the year. Each time, the exam fee is 150,000 VND/student," said Mr. Dung. In response to information reflecting that the school organized a collection of 'anti-failure fee' for high school graduation of 500,000 VND/student, the collection was only announced verbally, without receipts, Mr. Dung affirmed that the school has never collected anti-failure fee for high school graduation.

"The district has supported 5 million/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. 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.

The homeroom teacher announced that the money would be refunded overnight.

According to a parent whose child is in grade 12, at around 10:30 p.m. on June 13, the homeroom teacher sent a text message informing the student that he would be refunding some of the fees the school had previously collected.

Including refunding the expected test fee in June, the reason being that the department has implemented free online testing; refunding the gratitude organization fee because the plan had to stop; refunding the class's food party fee if it is not organized.

In addition, the photocopy fee and other expenses incurred at the end of the year will be deducted and then returned to the students.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sau-giam-thi-bi-to-chup-bai-thi-o-nha-ve-sinh-hoc-sinh-to-truong-thu-tien-chong-truot-20240615171040341.htm