Hot instructions on the case of more than 180 students absent from school when smelly food entered the school kitchen

After the incident of unsafe food being served in the kitchen of Cu Khe Primary School (Hanoi), on October 20, more than 180 students were given a day off by their parents to protest the school’s handling of the situation. The People’s Committee of Binh Minh Commune has proposed a plan to provide meals again.

After the incident of unsafe food being brought into the kitchen on October 15, Cu Khe Primary School terminated the contract with Nhat Anh Import Export Trading and Service Company Limited - the food supplier. At the same time, it issued a notice to adjust the boarding plan for students.

According to the school, during the time of completing the bidding process, parents can choose one of two options: Either prepare lunch for their children in the morning and bring it to school; or pick up their children to have lunch, rest from 10:30 and bring them back to school at 13:30 for the afternoon class.

On October 20, according to a report from Cu Khe Primary School, 1,335 out of a total of 1,518 students attended school, reaching 88%.

Of these, 182 students were absent with permission (11.9%) for various reasons such as health; parents could not pick up and drop off their children or could not prepare lunch for their children...; 1 student was absent without permission.

On October 20, 497 students brought lunch and stayed at school at noon (37%); the remaining 838 students (63%) finished school and left at 10:30.

Parents "supply" lunch for their children at Cu Khe Primary School on October 20. Photo: Provided by parents.

Speaking to VietNamNet on the evening of October 20, Mr. Nguyen Dang Viet, Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Minh Commune, said that the provision of a new kitchen will take time because the selection of a new boarding meal provider will be carried out according to the bidding process under the direction and supervision of the People's Committee of the Commune, ensuring objectivity, transparency and compliance with regulations. In addition, the new provider also needs to take over or replace the kitchen facilities.

However, Mr. Viet said, receiving information today, October 20, that some families decided to let their students stay home from school, the Commune People's Committee directed Cu Khe Primary School to quickly expedite the process to shorten the time to select a new supplier. "The spirit is to shorten the process as quickly as possible; about 1 week to provide meals for students soon," Mr. Viet said.

According to Mr. Viet, while waiting for a new food supplier, the temporary solution is that the locality will mobilize the kitchens of neighboring schools to help cook more meals for students at Cu Khe Primary School, so that parents do not have to pick up and drop off their children at noon or bring lunch to class.

“If by tomorrow morning, some of the kitchen equipment at Cu Khe Primary School is found to be unsuitable for replacement, we can increase the number of cooking staff and teachers from neighboring schools to cook at Cu Khe Primary School from tomorrow, October 21,” said Mr. Viet.

Mr. Viet said the commune has also requested information from parents that tomorrow their children can go to school and have lunch at school as usual.

This morning, October 20, many parents of Cu Khe Primary School (Binh Minh Commune, Hanoi ) decided to let their children stay home from school to protest the school's policies.

This evening, October 20, Cu Khe Primary School also sent a notice to parents about reorganizing boarding meals for students from October 21.

Accordingly, the school said that in order for students' boarding activities to not be interrupted and parents to feel secure in their work, from tomorrow, October 21, the school will continue to organize boarding meals provided by the TCT food supplier - a unit that has been assessed by the People's Committee of Binh Minh commune and meets food hygiene and safety conditions.

“Currently, the selection of a contractor to provide meals must follow the correct procedures, so from October 21 to October 24, the school will sign a temporary contract with a team of trained professional chefs, cooking in the school kitchen under the support and supervision of the People's Committee of Binh Minh Commune, the Department of Culture and Society, the Health Station and the Parents' Representative Board of each class. After the bid evaluation process is completed, the winning bidder will officially provide meals for boarding students. The school commits to ensuring food hygiene and safety according to regulations,” the school's announcement stated.

Previously, according to the report of the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team of Binh Minh Commune, after conducting a surprise inspection of food safety at the kitchen of Cu Khe Primary School operated by Nhat Anh Import-Export Trading and Service Company Limited, it showed a number of serious violations of hygiene conditions and procedures. Accordingly, the arrangement of areas was not guaranteed. Specifically, the cooking and food distribution area was arranged together with the washing area, posing a high risk of cross-contamination between raw and cooked food. Second, environmental sanitation was poor when the drainage system in the processing area was not covered, stagnant, and smelled bad. There were also insects (flies) in the preliminary processing and processing areas. Third, there was a lack of equipment, such as only 2 stainless steel tables to divide food for 1,450 meals, which did not meet the requirements. Fourth, there was a violation of food inspection procedures when the 3-step food inspection book was not recorded on the inspection day (October 16).

Hanoi Department of Education and Training: Do not interrupt boarding meals

On the afternoon of October 20, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training also sent a document to the People's Committee of Binh Minh commune regarding strengthening the management of organizing meals for boarding students.

Accordingly, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training requested the People's Committee of Binh Minh commune to direct functional units in the commune to inspect and review food safety conditions and the organization of meals at Cu Khe Primary School and other schools in the area.

At the same time, it is requested that the People's Committee of Binh Minh commune strictly handle any violations of hygiene, food safety or violations of regulations on contracts for providing meals to students.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training also requested the People's Committee of Binh Minh Commune to direct Cu Khe Primary School to continue organizing boarding meals, not to interrupt or affect the rights of students, and at the same time create peace of mind for parents when sending their children to school.

In addition, the People's Committee of Binh Minh commune is requested to inform the Department of the inspection results and the plan to stabilize boarding activities at Cu Khe Primary School for synthesis and reporting to the City People's Committee.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chi-dao-nong-vu-hon-180-hoc-sinh-nghi-hoc-khi-thuc-pham-co-mui-vao-bep-truong-2454676.html