The principal has resigned.

Regarding the case of boarding students in Lao Cai receiving substandard and allegedly substandard school meals, on December 22nd, a leader of the People's Committee of Bac Ha District (Lao Cai) stated that the unit had received a resignation letter from Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha, Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary School.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha, Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary School

According to the leader, Mr. Ha has taken personal responsibility for his leadership and management shortcomings, which have led to negative public opinion. Mr. Ha is currently suspended from his duties pending investigation and verification. The district is considering Mr. Ha's resignation request.

Regarding the issues raised in the "24-Hour News" program ( Vietnam Television) , Bac Ha District is in the process of transferring the case to the police for investigation and verification.

School principal resigns after boarding students in Lao Cai lack food:

Previously, regarding the above incident, on December 19th, the Ministry of Education and Training requested the People's Committee of Lao Cai province to direct and verify the reported content; strictly handle any relevant individuals or groups (if violations are found) in accordance with the law and report the results to the Ministry before January 5th, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Lao Cai Department of Education and Training has requested high schools to install surveillance cameras in food preparation areas, meal distribution areas, and student dining areas. They are also asked to create and publicly share access accounts for parents, organizations, and agencies to monitor the cameras (installation to be completed before January 10, 2024), using funds from the schools' own budgets.

For preschools, primary schools, and junior high schools, it is recommended that the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities consider installing surveillance cameras to direct subordinate educational institutions according to their respective levels of authority to effectively manage meals and food portions for boarding students.

In addition, the Department of Education and Training of Lao Cai province requested the People's Committees of districts to direct and review the organization and implementation of regulations on government and provincial support policies to strengthen the management of policies at educational institutions; to publicly disclose finances and daily meals for boarding and semi-boarding students as prescribed; to encourage the public and parents to support staff in cooking; and to monitor the quality of daily meals for boarding and semi-boarding students at schools.

Quick overview at 8 PM on December 22nd: Conclusion of the case regarding boarding school students lacking food.

On December 16th, the "24-Hour News" program ( Vietnam Television ) reported on the situation at Hoang Thu Pho 1 Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary School, where there were signs of food being substandard.

Specifically, at breakfast in the school cafeteria, each table has 11 children but only two packets of instant noodles cooked thinly and poured over rice. For lunch and dinner, each table of 11 children also only has a small amount of chopped ham and a pot of soup.