Illegal extortion in schools and kindergartens: how to calculate and where to complain

For which they should not demand money from parents

Classes in disciplines included in the educational standard

From the first to the fourth grades, compulsory (and, accordingly, free) are: Russian language and literary reading (native language and reading in it if necessary), foreign language, mathematics and computer science, social science and natural science (subject "The World Around"), the basics of religious cultures and secular ethics, art (visual arts, music) and technology (labor), physical education.

From the fifth to ninth grades, this list includes history (general and Russian) and geography, algebra and geometry, natural science subjects (physics, chemistry, biology), life safety and the basics of the spiritual and moral culture of the peoples of Russia. Labor, natural science and the foundations of religious cultures and secular ethics cease to be obligatory.

In the tenth and eleventh grades, economics, law, "Russia in the world", ecology and natural science are added to the compulsory subjects. This does not mean that each student will be given such an extensive amount of knowledge: some of the subjects can be studied at choice. But for the teaching of these specific disciplines, the educational institution does not have to require additional funding from parents.

Only classes that are not included in the compulsory program can be paid (for example, a special course in sculpture or astronomy). They are paid on a voluntary basis by concluding an agreement on the provision of additional educational services.

Teaching and methodological aids

The provision of educational institutions with textbooks and manuals is carried out at the expense of the federal and local budgets. You may legally be asked to pay only for materials for additional subjects that are not part of the educational standard.

Security guard services

The safety and security of children while in school or kindergarten should be carried out by the institutions themselves. Of course, there is a possibility that there will not be enough funding to pay for the services of a good security agency. But you cannot be forced to pay for the security guard's work.

Repair and renovation of school or kindergarten equipment

Most often, parents are asked to "help" with the purchase of new desks or curtains for the classroom. Meanwhile, this is a gross violation of the law. It is important for every parent that his child is engaged in a beautiful bright classroom on serviceable equipment. But this does not mean that you need to furnish an educational institution from your own pocket.

You can participate in fundraising for these and any other purposes - exclusively on a voluntary basis and with the preparation of the relevant documents. Refusal to deposit funds should not cause adverse consequences for your child.

Make the correct payment for certain services

Do not give money to your hands. Even if it becomes known that they were spent for other purposes, it will be impossible to confirm that you donated anything at all.
Forget receipts. You will not be able to control where this money will go, because formally in this way you transfer it not to the school, but to a certain individual (teacher or class teacher of the child).
Do not sign a voluntary donation agreement. When you ask to hand over money, you are given a trustworthy piece of paper with the important word "contract" in the title - and you sign it without reading it. But you should be more careful: paying (as you were told) for a new school uniform for your child, according to the documents, you are just making a "voluntary donation" for the abstract needs of an educational institution. When the promised jackets and trousers still don't appear in six months, nothing can be proven. Because the money was formally contributed for something completely different.

Pay for any services in an educational institution only through the accounting department by signing agreement on the provision of additional educational services … It should contain in detail your data and information about the institution, a list of services provided and the amount of money charged.

Where to complain about illegal extortions in an educational institution

First, weigh the pros and cons. Not all schools and kindergartens have enough funding to provide a full-fledged educational process.

It's one thing when you are offered to hand over money to replace worn-out textbooks with new ones. It is quite different when at every parent meeting you are forced to pay for laptops for the computer science class, leather furniture for the head teacher's office, or smartphones for each teacher on Teacher's Day.

In cases where you are being asked for financial help to improve your child's learning, you can really think about it. If you are frankly extorting outrageous sums for someone's wishlist, it's time to stop this mess.

And here's where you can go.

Branch of Rosobrnadzor. Find the address of the institution for the control and supervision of education in your city and apply in person.
Prosecutor's Office. You can contact your local office or apply online. Cases of outright extortion by an educational institution can be reported by asking to remain anonymous.