15,000 VND boarding meal at mountainous school: What do parents say?

(Dan Tri) - Many parents whose children study at Vu Quang Primary School, Ha Tinh, expressed their satisfaction with the way the teachers organize their meals. They said the prices were reasonable and, importantly, the children enjoyed their meals.

The article "15,000 VND boarding meal at a mountainous school receives a lot of compliments" published by Dan Tri newspaper attracted a lot of attention from readers. Many readers left comments praising the school for receiving local investment in facilities and "being dedicated" in organizing boarding meals.

"It is right to receive compliments"

"What impressed me most was that the school has a spacious dining room with air conditioning fans to serve the children. Watching the children eat is like attending a party," reader Dung Phan shared his feelings.

Image of Vu Quang Primary School students enjoying their meal (Photo: Manh Ha).

Reader Nguyen Thanh Chon shared: "Looking at this picture makes me happy and moved! The children are being educated and cared for with hearts full of love."

"It's right to receive a lot of compliments like this," reader Tran Van Tam expressed his opinion after reading the article.

Reader Xuan Anh expressed: "It is necessary to replicate the model of direct parental supervision like this school. That would be very objective, honest, willing to change and very popular."

Regarding this story, previously, a parent shared pictures and clips of meals at Vu Quang Primary School (Vu Quang district, Ha Tinh ) on social networks, creating a viral effect.

However, some people expressed doubts, saying that the image might just be "photographed for show" and questioned whether the quality of the meal would be maintained in the long term.

On September 13, speaking to Dan Tri reporter, Mr. Dang Manh Ha (born in 1982, residing in Vu Quang commune), the person who posted the photos and clips of the meal, said he was quite surprised that the incident received so much attention. He respects opposing opinions, because according to him, after a number of "other incidents" that happened before, it is understandable that parents and society lose trust.

Mr. Ha emphasized that sharing the photos only comes from pride when his children study and eat in a good environment. He hopes that many other schools can refer to and implement boarding schools to help parents have less trouble and students can develop comprehensively.

According to Mr. Ha, his 3 children are 3 generations of students at Vu Quang Primary School, in which the eldest child is in grade 11, the second child is in grade 9 and the youngest child is in grade 1. All 3 of Mr. Ha's children have been and are boarding at Vu Quang Primary School.

The image of Vu Quang Primary School students with a 15,000 VND meal has gone viral on social media (Photo: Manh Ha).

"The school has been implementing this model for more than 10 years, with a large number of students, so the organization is convenient. Over the years, the school has always posted prices publicly. When social networks developed, every meal, the teachers used their phones to broadcast live or record and send it to parents to watch. When the children got home, they all praised the food for being delicious, happy and developing well physically," said Mr. Ha.

Regarding the price that many people wonder about, Mr. Ha said that at Vu Quang Primary School, each meal costs 15,000 VND plus 8,000 VND for the teachers to cook, serve, and stay at noon to take care of the children.

The male parent said that depending on the region, city or countryside, there will be different levels of difference. Mr. Ha also shared that in implementing the boarding meals, the school does not force, only parents who have the need for their children to register.

The children praised her for cooking well.

Ms. Le Thi Trang (born in 1990) said that she and her husband are originally from Thanh Hoa province and currently live and work in Vu Quang commune, Ha Tinh province. She and her husband have two children in grades 2 and 5 at Vu Quang Primary School and both are boarders.

She also appreciates the school's way of organizing lunch for students. She believes that this helps children not have to travel at noon, which is both convenient and safe for busy parents.

"The price of each meal is 15,000 VND, plus 8,000 VND for cooking, serving and taking care of the teachers, a total of 23,000 VND. I find this price cheaper than a bowl of pho, very reasonable. Every day the children praise the rice that the teacher cooks and eat it all. Many times when the children come home, they ask their mother to cook the same dish that the teacher makes so they can eat like at school," Trang shared.

She added that the school's food sources are all public and sourced locally. In rural areas, everyone knows the source, so parents can rest assured.

Students of Vu Quang Primary School are happy during their lunch (Photo: Quang Vu).

Responding to Dan Tri reporter, Ms. Dinh Thi Hong Linh, Principal of Vu Quang Primary School, said that the school has been organizing semi-boarding meals for more than 10 years. Particularly in the 2025-2026 school year, the school will receive investment and support in better facilities.

In addition, after the local government implemented a two-tiered system, some functional rooms at the headquarters still had old air conditioners left. The school received support from the government to install these air conditioners in the student dining room, so it did not have to ask parents to contribute.

According to Ms. Linh, this school year the school has 447 students, of which 422 are boarding students.

The female principal affirmed: "The boarding meals are strictly managed, all stages from receiving food, processing to the cafeteria are monitored by cameras, and images are saved. Parents can directly check at any time when needed, just notify the security guard at the school gate and they will be invited in."

She also said that prices, menus, and food sources are all public. The school signs contracts with suppliers to provide fresh, raw food and does not use processed foods.

Regarding some opposing opinions, the female principal emphasized: "I once told parents that if anyone discovered the school had skimmed even one penny, the principal would resign."

This statement by Ms. Dinh Thi Hong Linh is considered by many Dan Tri readers to be bold, daring to do, daring to take responsibility.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/suat-an-ban-tru-15000-dong-o-truong-mien-nui-phu-huynh-noi-gi-20250913142632094.htm