HCM City School Denies Entry to Late Parents for Meeting, Principal Apologizes

Dozens of parents at a high school in Ho Chi Minh City were reportedly denied entry to a parent-teacher meeting for arriving late. The principal later met with the parents and apologized for the incident, according to reports. However, the school's strict stance has sparked renewed debate about communication between schools and parents, and the role of schools within the community. In Vietnam, under the one-party system, the maintenance of discipline in educational institutions is often emphasized as part of social control. Simultaneously, with rapid economic growth, particularly in urban areas, parental interest in education has increased, as has their desire to participate in school activities. In this context, when a school's approach diverges from parental expectations, friction can arise within the community. This incident suggests the importance of schools not only enforcing rules unilaterally but also understanding parents' circumstances and adopting flexible approaches. Especially in Vietnam's major cities, with an increasing number of dual-income households and longer commute times, parents often face time constraints, necessitating consideration of these realities by schools. Source: The Saigon Times