'I feel at peace when returning 500,000 parents' money transfers to celebrate November 20'

On November 20, a literature teacher in An Giang returned the 500,000 VND that a parent had transferred with a message: Parents should not materialize gifts on Vietnamese Teachers' Day.

Illustration source: cuoi.tuoitre.vn

As reported, on November 20, many parents gave flowers, gifts... to congratulate teachers on the happy day of the profession. However, there were also some teachers who, for some reason, refused the gifts or returned them to parents.

The story of a teacher at a secondary school in An Giang sent to Tuoi Tre Online contributes to the perspective of this noble profession.

It's embarrassing to return, but it's even more embarrassing to receive.

While attending the celebration of Vietnamese Teachers' Day November 20, I received a text message saying that my account had been credited with 500,000 VND.

At first I was surprised because I didn't know who had topped up my phone so much but just a little while later I received a text message from my parents.

According to the message content, the parent wanted to send me a Vietnamese Teachers' Day gift as a thank you.

Honestly, I feel awkward because my account has been credited by the network operator and cannot be returned. But I cannot accept this gift.

Immediately after receiving the parent's message, I asked for the account number to transfer the money back but the parent did not give the account number.

However, I texted that I would return the money. Then I put 500,000 VND in an envelope, folded it into a white notebook and told the student: "I am sending back to your family the money your mother used to top up my phone."

Then I texted the parents back to thank them and said I had sent the money to the student. Maybe the parents were embarrassed to receive the money I sent back, but if I received it, I would be even more embarrassed.

This is not the first time my parents have returned the money I paid for, as I occasionally received similar messages on November 20.

Or sometimes I receive envelopes from students tucked in bouquets of flowers, but I never accept them for myself. It's not that I personally dislike money or pride, but deep down I always remind myself that these are sensitive gifts, not appropriate in an educational environment.

I do not accept gifts from parents or students, I still teach them attentively, enthusiastically with all my ability and passion. Moreover, it will be easy for me to teach and evaluate the learning outcomes of my students.

Screenshot of message content on phone

Parents should not materialize gifts on Vietnamese Teachers' Day

Honestly, in my heart and perhaps the majority of teachers who have taught and are teaching in schools always need money to maintain their lives or to have a better life. But that does not mean it is easy to reach out and receive envelopes from students, parents or transfer money, top up phones…

That amount of money may or may not be much, it may be the parents' heart and also their intention to make the teachers care about their children... But whatever the reason, it is very sensitive.

If a student gets high marks, parents might say that it is partly because the parents "care" about the teachers. If a student gets low marks, parents might blame the teachers for accepting gifts and not caring about or being indifferent to the students.

Therefore, I always keep in mind that it is still necessary not to accept gifts from students or parents.

First, the teacher himself is not bound by anything in evaluating the student's scores.

Second, create a clean educational environment.

Third, teachers and parents feel comfortable communicating and interacting with each other in the process of managing and educating students.

Every year there is a day, November 20, when many people give special attention to the teaching staff.

However, in the end, what many teachers want most is for parents to cooperate with teachers and schools in the best management and education of students.

Don't materialize gifts for teachers because not all teachers are happy to receive gifts and sometimes giving and receiving gifts creates awkwardness for both sides.

All students being taught and evaluated equally will create fairness.

Money or a valuable gift is very necessary for teachers - especially those with little experience and who do not teach extra classes, but that does not mean teachers should accept material gifts from parents.

So, when I returned the 500,000 VND to my parents to celebrate November 20, my conscience felt at ease.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/toi-cam-thay-thanh-than-khi-gui-lai-500-000-phu-huynh-chuyen-khoan-mung-ngay-20-11-20241121091450952.htm