Vietnam Ministry of Education restricts parent board fund collection

A new circular from the Ministry of Education and Training, effective November 15, 2026, establishes strict regulations for parent representative boards in schools. The new rules aim to ensure that cooperation between families and schools remains practical, economical, and voluntary.

Under the new guidelines, parent representative boards are prohibited from setting mandatory contributions, fixing support levels, or exerting pressure on parents. They are also barred from collecting, receiving, or managing funds intended for the support of the board's activities. Furthermore, the boards may not use their status to solicit sponsorships for schools or interfere with the professional management, administration, or organizational structure of educational institutions.

The circular emphasizes that schools cannot delegate management, financial, or professional responsibilities to parent representatives. It also prohibits discrimination against students or parents based on their participation in or support of the representative board's activities.