Parents Charged to Check Children's Grades, Sparking Outrage Over Education Commercialization
A recent incident in Shandong's Heze city has sparked widespread discussion and criticism online after a parent posted a video complaining about being charged 25 yuan per month, or 300 yuan per year, to check their child's academic performance. Many netizens have expressed outrage, questioning why parents cannot simply ask the teacher about their child's grades without having to pay for it. This incident has raised concerns about the commercialization of education and the exploitation of parents' desire to stay informed about their children's academic progress.
29 April 2025
The reaction to the school charging parents to check their child's grades indicates a broad concern about fairness and transparency in education. The act of charging for such information is seen as a barrier to equal access, suggesting that only those who can afford the fee can be actively involved in their child's educational progress. Some believe the charge might be associated with the use of third-party software, while others criticize both the school and the education department, advocating for an investigation into this matter to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Further investigation has revealed that this is not an isolated incident, with some schools using platforms that charge parents for accessing their child's grades. For example, a school in Henan's Xinyang uses an app called "Shuzhi Jiaxiao" that requires parents to pay a monthly fee of 5 yuan to view their child's mid-term and final grades. Another example is the "Haofenshu" app used in Yantai, which charges a yearly fee of 365 yuan for parents to check their child's scores in advance. These platforms often use a tiered pricing model, where basic score queries are free, but more detailed analysis and rankings require a paid subscription.
The practice of schools charging for access to student grades has been criticized for undermining the principle of equal access to education. Many netizens have expressed frustration and disappointment, with some calling for greater accountability and fairness in the education system. The use of third-party platforms that charge parents for accessing their child's information has been particularly controversial, with some accusing these companies of exploiting parents' desire to stay informed about their children's education.
As the education sector continues to evolve, it is imperative that authorities and schools prioritize the openness and fairness of educational information, ensuring that it is accessible to all stakeholders without undue financial burden. The fact that a parent was charged 300 yuan to access their child's grades over the course of a year raises serious concerns about the exploitation of families and the lack of accountability in some educational institutions. By promoting transparency and accountability, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just education system that serves the needs of students, parents, and society as a whole. Ultimately, the transparency and accountability that come with open access to educational information are essential for building trust and fostering a culture of fairness in our educational institutions.
