Principal admits 'major negligence' in A80 support payment case

Regarding the fact that the student only received 940,000 VND the first time he paid, Mr. Pham Van Long admitted that this was "a big mistake of the school" and asked to learn from experience.

At the dialogue session on December 1, Mr. Pham Van Long - Principal of Hanoi College of Tourism explained the reflection related to the transparency of funding to support students participating in the A80 program.

Regarding the fact that students only received 940,000 VND in the first payment, Mr. Pham Van Long admitted that this was a "major oversight of the school". According to Mr. Long, after approving the two-time payment plan on November 24, the Head of the Student Affairs Department went on a business trip, so the staff who made the payment did not fully understand and disseminate the document previously approved by the principal.

This document clearly states the payment plan in two installments. The first installment is 940,000 VND, the second installment is 580,000 VND, which will be paid at the ceremony to honor students with good achievements, scheduled to take place from December 15-25.

Mr. Pham Van Long - Principal of Hanoi College of Tourism admitted his mistake at the dialogue session on the afternoon of December 2. (Photo: PV)

"This is a major oversight due to the school providing incomplete information. The money was just given out without explanation, causing students to misunderstand the total amount of support," said the principal.

Regarding the complaint that students signed payment vouchers without clearly stating the amount, the school explained that the Student Affairs Office wanted students to write the amount themselves and sign their names to verify it with their own handwriting. However, due to the lack of clear instructions, students misunderstood and thought they were signing fake vouchers.

Also at the dialogue, Mr. Pham Van Long publicly disclosed his personal phone number to strengthen the information channel and committed to handling students' feedback within 24-48 hours.

In response to questions about student volunteers receiving higher levels of support, Mr. Long said that this is a different group of tasks, not participating in training but taking charge of management, attendance and coordination. Therefore, the payment regime is applied according to the level for support forces, not according to the framework of student training.

Regarding the reason for paying cash instead of transferring money, the school leaders explained that the number of participating students was up to nearly 1,000 people, while the school had advanced the food money for them. If the entire allowance was transferred according to regulations, the students would have to pay back the advance food money, causing trouble and wasting time. Therefore, paying cash was more convenient, helping students receive the correct amount after deducting the food money paid in advance by the school.

Some students requested not to consider the award because they believe that everyone contributes equally. The principal said that he will collect opinions from all students until 5pm tomorrow, December 2. If the majority of students do not agree to the award, the school will stop.

Previously, although the press was informed that the dialogue and explanation session on A80 support money for students would take place at 2 p.m. on December 1, Hanoi College of Tourism organized a meeting with students from 11 a.m. Regarding the reason for postponing the meeting, the Principal said the issue was "too hot, urgent and sensitive", emphasizing the school's viewpoint of putting students' interests first.

Social media has been buzzing for the past few days with an anonymous post by a student from the Hanoi College of Tourism who participated in the A80 program on September 2. The post said that students from other schools received 1.6 million VND in training support, but students from his school only received 940,000 VND in cash, and the receipt did not specify the amount. When questioned, the school explained that "the difference was due to food and car rental expenses", but there was no list, unit price, or invoice.

LINH NHI

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hieu-truong-thua-nhan-so-suat-lon-vu-chi-tra-tien-ho-tro-a80-ar990445.html