They do not have the right to demand money for school needs. Payment can only be made for additional educational services not provided for by the program. Questions about security, workbooks are still open.
In schools in Russia, questions about fundraising are raised very often. Parents donate money for repairs, textbooks, security and more. The first time they encounter this is when they enter primary school, when it becomes necessary to purchase workbooks for first graders. But not all parents can contribute the required amount, and according to the Federal Law No. 273 of December 25, 2008, “On Combating Corruption,” it is said that the collection and dissemination of information about the solvency and property capabilities of parents or trustees is prohibited. Especially if it is done to determine the level of donations or contributions.
What can the school raise funds for?
The law on education states that money can be received for additional services in the field of education. It:
- teaching individual subjects outside the school curriculum;
- lessons for the special development of children;
- tutoring;
- other services not provided for by the approved programs in the Ministry;
The types and forms of such activities are determined by the charter of each specific school.
What can you not pay for?
Back in 2011, a law was passed, according to which schools do not have the right to require legal representatives to discount for the purchase of new desks, repair of classrooms or equipment of computer zones. For this, money comes from the federal and local budgets.
Only what goes beyond educational standards can be paid. Parents may not help physically when it is necessary to paint the walls, replace the floor covering. Local authorities are responsible for these tasks. It is they who must monitor the improvement of the territory and the high-quality work performed in the educational institution itself.
Nor can they demand the contribution of funds to the needs of the class. From a legal point of view, such a concept does not exist. If parents want to create any special conditions for their children, they can decide on a one-time or monthly deposit of funds, but only on a voluntary basis, without forcing those who refuse to do so.
Do they have the right to collect for protection?
Another controversial point is the issue of security, since in most Russian schools security officers are paid precisely from parental contributions. But the creation of the necessary conditions for protection is the competence of educational institutions. Therefore, they cannot demand money for protection.
There is one caveat - the position of a day guard is not provided for in the staffing of schools. Only a night watchman can receive a salary from the state. Therefore, watchmen and security personnel pay by raising additional funds. Therefore, the need for such a specialist should be decided at a school-wide parent meeting, that is, with the involvement of the parent committee.
Are they eligible to collect funds for workbooks?
This is the subject of the most debate. The Minister of Education has made statements several times that workbooks cannot be purchased at the expense of students. But the school cannot do this either, since such educational material belongs to an auxiliary publication for individual and one-time use. The teacher may require the purchase of a printed exercise book for the textbook, if it is prescribed in the educational program approved by the director. If the latter agreed with the documents provided by the teacher, then he can be required to allocate funds for the acquisition. But if the school cannot acquire them, then it has no right to demand from the parents.
Thus, the school cannot collect money from parents for school needs, only for paid educational services. If a teacher, a student or a director insists on donating funds, parents can write a complaint to the education committees, municipalities, administration, departments, and the police. If you have a question about the legality of donating funds for solving a specific problem, you can contact the Ministry of Education. It will explain the subtleties and the need for payment.
