Providing drinking water and milk in schools: Strengthening supervision, increasing responsibility

GD&TĐ - Only when supervision and public service responsibilities are seriously implemented can food safety quality in schools be guaranteed.

The story "never gets old"

In recent days, public opinion has been worried about the information about unsafe food being smuggled into the kitchens of some schools in Hanoi such as Cu Khe Primary School - Binh Minh Commune, Chu Minh Primary School - Quang Oai Commune. The leaders of the City People's Committee have requested the authorities to intervene to determine the responsibilities of the relevant parties. At the same time, they have requested that suppliers of drinking water and milk must aim to provide the best and most beneficial products for students.

Having a child in grade 3, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (living in An Khanh commune, Hanoi) shared that reading information on the news about incidents related to dirty food brought into schools, she was shocked. Children come to activities, eat and sleep in class from morning to afternoon, they must be fed and drink food that ensures food hygiene and safety. As a member of the class's parent committee, Ms. Ha often comes to supervise the food delivery process every morning to know what the children eat and drink to feel more secure.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Hang - Vice Principal of An Khanh B Kindergarten (An Khanh Commune, Hanoi) said that, implementing the direction from the People's Committee of An Khanh Commune and the guidance from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training on the organization of boarding as well as based on the consensus with parents of the classes, from the 2025 - 2026 school year, the school will choose purified drinking water and branded fresh milk products for children to use.

“Not only drinks or milk, other foods such as meat, fish, eggs, rice, vegetables, fruits, etc. are also imported from reputable suppliers, ensuring their origin. Every day, a monitoring team including representatives of the Board of Directors, medical staff , accountants, teachers, and parents are present to check the food before it is brought into the kitchen for processing,” Ms. Hang informed.

With more than 1,000 students registered for boarding meals at school, Ms. Tran Thi Quyen - Principal of Van Khe Primary School (Ha Dong Ward, Hanoi) said that boarding safety is always the school's top priority every school year. The selection of food, drink, and milk suppliers for students is all through the review process by the leaders of the ward's Department of Culture and Society regarding their capacity profiles as well as food hygiene and safety conditions.

Drinking water and milk are two products consumed daily in large quantities in the school environment. If these products are of unknown origin, or if the preservation and transportation process is not hygienic, there will be a risk of food poisoning. Large, reputable brands often have strict quality control processes, regularly inspected by authorities, helping to minimize safety risks.

“Parents are always the ones who care most about their children's meals and drinks. The school and educational management agency proactively choosing reputable and transparent suppliers is the best way to build trust and demonstrate the highest responsibility for students' health. This year, we have chosen two types of branded milk for children to use in the menu. The school always gives the best for children to enjoy, meeting parents' expectations,” Ms. Quyen expressed.

Kitchen staff at An Khanh B Kindergarten (An Khanh, Hanoi). Photo: TG

Close monitoring

Having a child in grade 2 and a 3-year-old kindergarten in Hanoi, Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang agrees with the view that schools should choose reputable brands to supply milk and drinks for children to use.

“At the parent-teacher meeting at the beginning of the year, our children's class unanimously agreed to request the school to switch to using fresh milk/yogurt products from a reputable, branded company. Even though the price of each boarding meal increased from 28,000 VND/child/day last year to 33,000 VND/child/day this year, we still feel more secure. When asked at home, all the children said they like to eat in class because they get to use this type of milk,” Ms. Trang informed.

According to Ms. Ngo Thi Kim Sam - Principal of Tay Dang A Primary School (Quang Oai Commune, Hanoi), milk is a food source that plays a key role in height development, strengthening bones and teeth. Clean, safe water helps the body function effectively, maintaining concentration and alertness for studying. Choosing products is not only about safety, but also about optimal nutrition, contributing to the goal of improving students' stature and physical strength.

At Thanh Da Primary School, Hat Mon Commune (Hanoi), Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ha - Principal shared that B fresh milk is the brand used by the school in the weekly boarding menu for students. Not only drinks and milk, other foods are also strictly controlled before being served on the dining table in the classrooms. Parents also accompany the school in monitoring food safety.

From an expert perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hang - senior lecturer from the Academy of Educational Management, said that if we want to ensure the quality of food safety in schools, it is necessary to tighten the monitoring mechanism as well as the sense of responsibility of the head of each school. Only then, even if there is any case of unsafe food trying to sneak into the school, it will be stopped, avoiding the risk of poisoning for students.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hang shared that, in addition to the parent committee, local government officials also need to join hands to monitor food safety and boarding safety in schools; at the same time, clearly define the responsibilities of each relevant party, especially school leaders, in ensuring food hygiene for students. Children are very vulnerable. The responsibility of adults is to give all the best things for children to develop comprehensively.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/cung-cap-nuoc-uong-sua-trong-truong-hoc-day-manh-giam-sat-gia-tang-trach-nhiem-post754619.html