School cultural values to students in the context of school autonomy in finance: a case study in a public secondary school in Ha Noi

Abstract

The literature on school autonomy in secondary schools in Viet Nam and the international context has highlighted the need for further studies on the impacts of school autonomy on school culture. To fill this research gap, this paper explores key features of school cultural values to students in the context of school autonomy in finance based on the theoretical framework of Schoen & Teddie (2008). The article employs a qualitative research design with data collected from 26 semi-structured interviews and 27 observations in a public self-financed secondary school in Ha Noi. Research findings present four key school cultural values, namely students first, making every effort for student’s success, no student left behind and respecting student autonomy. The research findings could be a source of reference for public secondary schools in Viet Nam in the context of increasing school autonomy and accountability.