Parents complain about school lunch programs; Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training says it will conduct regular and surprise inspections.

(NLĐO) - Following complaints from parents about the quality and food safety of school lunch programs, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training announced that it will conduct both regular and surprise inspections.

Recently, some parents have complained about school lunch programs. Besides the meager portions of food, some educational institutions have also experienced cases of food poisoning.

In response to the aforementioned concerns, at a press conference providing information on several issues related to the education sector in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Ho Tan Minh, Chief of the Office of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, provided specific information.

According to Mr. Minh, in 2025, the Department of Education and Training issued numerous documents to strengthen state management of food safety, proper nutrition, and prevention of food poisoning in educational institutions; clearly defining the responsibilities of each position in the chain of receiving – storing – processing – serving – and catering. It required the prohibition of using food of unknown origin; strengthened supervision of school cafeterias and food services... and educated parents about monitoring meals and providing feedback through the school's suggestion channel and information hotline.

The school lunch at Trung Vuong High School has been criticized, although the school insists that the photos of the meals are incomplete.

Simultaneously, organize strict inspection and supervision of all stages. Conduct self-inspections, coordinate inter-agency inspections between Education and Health sectors in regular and unscheduled inspections, record findings in reports, and request immediate rectification of shortcomings; coordinate with the Parent-Teacher Association to participate in monitoring school lunch programs according to the conditions of each unit. Conduct surveys on student satisfaction with school lunch programs; based on these, unit leaders will take measures to address any shortcomings.

According to Mr. Minh, the Department of Education and Training has actually organized food safety and hygiene inspections at school kitchens and canteens to strengthen food safety and prevent food poisoning. "The Department of Education and Training, as well as educational institutions, are always ready to receive feedback from parents and students about the quality of school meals in schools throughout the city. This is considered an important information channel to help the department strengthen inspection and supervision and improve the quality of school meal services, contributing to better health care for students," Mr. Minh said.

Yesterday (December 17th), images of school lunches allegedly from Trung Vuong High School (Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) circulated on social media. Along with the images, many comments suggested that the meals were meager and not worth the price. "How can students get the nutrients they need to study if they eat like this? Charging 40,000 VND per meal for only this much – does the school and the supplier care about the students at all?" – some comments stated.

Ms. Luong Bich Nga, Vice Principal of Trung Vuong High School, said that the school lunch pictured was taken at the school and was the lunch served to students on December 17th. However, the image of the school lunch is incomplete, so it may appear to be a small portion at first glance.

According to Ms. Nga, on the afternoon of December 17th, students at the school will be able to choose one of four savory dishes for their school lunch, including fried pork meatballs, chicken stew, fried eggs with meat, and basa fish stew with tomatoes. In addition, the students' meal will include a stir-fried dish, rice, dessert (green apples), and soup, all served in a separate large bowl for six students to share.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/phu-huynh-phan-anh-bua-an-ban-tru-so-gd-dt-tphcm-noi-se-kiem-tra-dinh-ky-va-dot-xuat-196251218175842344.htm