Starting November 15, 2026, parent representative boards in schools across Vietnam are officially prohibited from collecting, receiving, or managing funds from parents. This change, mandated by the Ministry of Education and Training under Circular 81/2026/TT-BGDĐT, replaces the previous regulations established in 2011 and aims to eliminate the long-standing controversy surrounding so-called class and school funds.
New Restrictions on Parent Contributions
Under the new regulations, parent representative boards are no longer permitted to set mandatory contribution levels, establish minimum or average support amounts, or create lists of parents expected to pay.
If parents wish to support school activities, the process must be strictly voluntary and transparent. Support can only be provided through two specific channels: directly providing necessary goods or services, or paying directly to the organization or individual supplying those goods or services. Cô Phạm Thị Thanh Hà, a teacher at Phố Hiến Primary School in Hưng Yên, noted that ending the collection and management of these funds helps the parent board return to its intended role as a bridge for sharing and education between families and schools. By removing the management of a collective fund, the relationship between teachers and parents can become more balanced and less strained.
Prohibition of Fees for Enhanced Educational Activities
Effective the same day, Circular 85/2026/TT-BGDĐT mandates that schools may no longer charge fees for enhanced educational activities. These activities, which take place outside of the core curriculum, are intended to focus on fundamental skills, practical experience, and the development of student competencies. Officials have emphasized that these programs should not be used as a cover for additional tutoring or to create new financial burdens for families. Teaching staff for these non-fee programs may include experts, coaches, artists, artisans, and others with relevant expertise, in addition to school teachers.
Changes to Parent-Teacher Meetings
The requirement to hold mandatory, fixed-schedule parent meetings three times per year has been removed. Instead, schools are encouraged to host a central meeting at the beginning of the academic year to elect the parent board and agree on coordination plans. This shift aims to reduce formalistic meetings and allow boards to focus on meaningful collaboration with schools.
New Standards for Preschool Education
In addition to the changes regarding parent boards, a new government decree, 353/2026/NĐ-CP, took effect on November 1, 2026, setting updated standards for universal preschool education for children aged 5 to 6. Under these rules, municipalities are required to reach an enrollment rate of at least 95% for this age group, with a target of 90% for areas facing extreme socioeconomic difficulties. Additionally, 85% of children in this age bracket must complete the preschool curriculum annually, with an 80% requirement for disadvantaged areas.
