Bribes in schools have unfortunately become common latelyan almost universally widespread phenomenon. Even 15-20 years ago, the very idea that a school might demand money for anything other than feeding children would not have occurred to anyone, but today it is difficult for parents to imagine a school that does not conduct monthly, or even weekly, extortions. And, despite the fact that teachers and school management call these monetary extortions the euphonious phrase "for the needs of the school", the fact remains - they are absolutely illegal. Moreover, the higher management is well aware of this, which, unfortunately, gives its tacit consent, justifying these extortions by the fact that the state is very poorly funding schools. However, this is not an excuse at all, and not a reason to "rip off" parents like a linden tree. Despite the fact that extortion of money is a common thing for many schools, it is possible and necessary to fight it. Fortunately, parents have recently stopped silently bringing money to school, and have become much more active. More and more prudent, literate and legally savvy parents are trying in every possible way to find the truth and understand how legal certain types of monetary extortions are in each specific case. If you are tired of feeling like a "cash cow" for teachers, this article is written for you. With the necessary minimum of knowledge, you will be able to resist the tyranny of teachers who demand more and more cash injections. And this material can also be very useful for parents of preschoolers, since they have to bring money no less often, and school is probably just around the corner.
What do I have to pay for at school?
What do schoolchildren's parents most often have to pay for? Of course, different schools may have their own peculiarities and nuances, but the general list is still the same:
- Entrance fee for admission to the first class
In many schools, especially those located inprestigious areas, in order for a child to be accepted to study there, they require paying the so-called entrance fee. But that's not all - often this entrance fee is just a fee for the child to be admitted to a kind of entrance exams. And only if the child passes them successfully, he is enrolled in the first grade. Especially often those future first-graders who do not live in the area where the school is located find themselves in such a situation. However, in fact, all these measures are absolutely illegal. In the event that there are still places in the school, the child must be accepted without any tests or entrance exams. According to the law, any exams in elementary school are generally strictly prohibited. Well, if there are no more places, then, accordingly, the school will not be able to take the child, no matter how much it wants to. But how can you find out if these very places are available? You should not conduct any verbal negotiations with the director - in the event of any - or conflict situations, you will not have any evidence. Write an official written request to the school principal, and an application asking to enroll your child in the first grade. And be sure to notify the teachers that you are expecting a written response. In the event that you receive a refusal, you can always find out whether there were actually any vacancies in the education department to which the school you have chosen belongs.
- Additional lessons
The second favorite point for extracting money fromparents - these are paid additional classes with a child in general education subjects, clubs and sections. In this case, parents should inquire whether the educational institution has the appropriate license. They can only be provided if the school has a license and all the appropriate permits.
- Help the school to repair or purchase essentials
This point is also far from the last oneplace in the article on collecting money from parents. To give or not - it is up to you. In any case, no one has the right to expel a child from school if you do not pay these expenses. However, if you decide to help the school and donate money, remember the main thing - never hand over money from hand to hand. Each school has its own current account, to which parents can transfer money for the needs of the school. As a rule, money can be transferred either by bank transfer or through the centralized department of the city or district education department, where you will be given a corresponding receipt. At your first request, the school should show you a detailed report indicating exactly how much and what it was spent on. Moreover, all expenses must be confirmed by appropriate documentation - checks, expense orders, etc. This is necessary so that parents know exactly where their money was spent. Otherwise, any monetary collection is considered illegal and the school is in violation of the Free Education Act.
- New Year's holidays and graduation parties
Various items become a significant expense itemschool celebrations. And if the amounts required for small celebrations are quite affordable, then the graduation party is a real natural disaster for most families. And this is not surprising - sociologists calculated that last year the average amount in Russia given by parents for holding a graduation party was 10 thousand rubles. Agree, in total it turns out to be a very impressive amount, for which you can play an entire wedding, not to mention a graduation party. Of course, at a parent-teacher meeting it is worth carefully discussing this issue, taking into account the financial capabilities of all parents. Perhaps it is worth giving up the most fashionable restaurant in the city and preferring a more modest cafe? And, in addition, remember that you should always be able to control where your money will be spent. Unfortunately, not all people are clean, and sometimes it happens that a significant part of the collected money ends up in the pockets of the members of the parent committee and the class teacher.
- Gifts for teachers
September 1st, Teacher's Day.New Year, March 8, and again - graduation - in many schools it is customary to give teachers gifts for these holidays. And a modest bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates have long since sunk into oblivion. Now the cost of a gift is calculated in thousands of rubles, and in some cases - even tens of thousands. To give or not? In principle, it is up to you to decide, but remember that this is a completely voluntary matter.
Extortions in kindergarten
There is no less justified indignation amongParents are also concerned about the situation in kindergartens. Unfortunately, it is no secret that the problem with the availability of places in kindergartens in Russia is very deplorable, and getting there can be extremely difficult. This is exactly what overly enterprising directors of kindergartens take advantage of, inventing new and new reasons for extorting money from parents of children. And parents obediently bring bribes to the kindergarten. Moreover, these very contributions begin from the very beginning, or more precisely - it is with them that the child begins attending kindergarten. In order for your child to be able to go to kindergarten, you may be required to pay from 5 to 30 thousand rubles, depending on the region. Such cases, unfortunately, are not some kind of exception to the rule, but rather a frightening trend. And, to our great regret, the parents themselves encourage its development, meekly bringing money to the kindergarten. If every time parents were extorted money for accepting their child into a kindergarten, they would appeal to higher authorities, then such cases would become less and less. However, even if the child managed to get into a kindergarten without any entrance fees, or, to put it simply, without a bribe, parents should be prepared for the fact that monetary extortion will become a regular duty for them, practically a way of life. Moreover, the reasons for extortion are practically the same as in schools:
- Need of a kindergarten
Parents are often asked to donate money forvarious household items for children - for bed linen, towels, toys, household goods - soap, powder, etc. Moreover, very often parents are sincerely perplexed - why give money for some expense items such as buying bed linen or toys several times a year? After all, it is unlikely that anything will happen in a few months with two sets of bed linen in several months, during which the child slept on it for several hours during nap time. And this is really so - often some, if not most of the money that parents give goes to absolutely no one knows where. More precisely, it is precisely - it is clear - to the parent committee, the teacher, the head. Remember that in this case the same scheme applies as at school - do not give money in hand. They must be transferred to a special bank account of the kindergarten. If the fundraising is solely an initiative of the parents' committee, and you have decided to support it, remember that you have every right to demand a full report - all receipts and expense orders. And, in addition, do not forget that all these donations are purely voluntary in nature, and in no case should they be imposed on parents. No bed linen in the kindergarten? Nothing prevents you from buying two sets of bed linen yourself. No dishes? You can also buy them yourself and take them to the kindergarten, right?
- Preparation for school
In the older group, parents are often obligedpay for preparing a child for school. However, remember that all preparation is absolutely free. And in order to prepare for money, the kindergarten must have the appropriate license. Otherwise, demanding money is absolutely illegal. Parents should never forget that as long as parents think about how to bribe a kindergarten or school, they will be forced to pay money. So maybe it's time to stop this financial chaos? We recommend reading:
