Principal forces female teachers to take part in party hosting VIP guests – the hidden corner of Vietnam’s education sector

Hoa Lan Kindergarten where Mrs. Do Thi Oanh is its principal

Regarding the case “The female principal assigns teachers to take part in party hosting many important delegations” that Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper reported, on the morning of December 18, a female teacher who denounced Ms. Do Thi Oanh, the principal of Hoa Lan Kindergarten (Quang Truc commune, Tuy Duc district, Dak Nong province), said that she disagreed with the conclusion of the settlement of the district People’s Committee regarding her denunciation.

According to this teacher, some of the denunciations were not resolved properly. Besides, in the denunciation, the teachers were also angry when Ms. Oanh kept bringing her car to school and forcing its teacher to wash her vehicle. One teacher didn’t know how to wash a car, she didn’t close the car door when she washed it, so she let the electricity short, she was scolded by Mrs. Oanh and the teacher had to apologize. However, the conclusion only states that washing cars at school is not appropriate in the practice of saving and combating waste in electricity and water use.

With serious violations of teacher ethics, we think that Ms. Oanh is no longer worthy of remaining in her position. We wish the Tuy Duc district authorities to resolve the case fairly, regain the confidence of the teaching staff,” this teacher shared.

Regarding the incident, according to the conclusion of the Tuy Duc District People’s Committee regarding the denunciation against Ms. Do Thi Oanh, Ms. Oanh has repeatedly sent teachers at the school to take part in parties hosting delegations in the province.

Specifically, according to the People’s Committee of Tuy Duc district, verification from some teachers, the teachers said that the Principal often directed some teachers to drink alcohol, receive guests at parties at units such as : South Central Highlands Company; Border Guard Station 11, 12; Thac Mo Protection Forest Management Board; Bu P’Rang border gate Customs Branch; Provincial police, during and outside office hours, even on Saturdays and Sundays.

When working with the inspection team, Ms. Oanh said that the assignments of teachers to drink and receive guests during office hours were correct when the units invited her school to attend.

The denunciation, which should have been kept anonymous, sent to the accused Principal

As a result of the random verification of a unit stationed in the area, which is the South Central Highlands Company, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh, the company’s chairman, said that every year, the company organizes a preliminary and quarterly, 9-month and year-end reviews. At the preliminary and summary sessions, Ms. Oanh was invited to attend. In 2021 it invited about 4-5 times, in 2022 invite about 3 times. During Mrs. Oanh’s attendance, she was accompanied by a number of teachers of the school, whose names Mr. Binh did not know.

Therefore, the People’s Committee of Tuy Duc district concluded that the fact that Ms. Oanh went out to drink and invited her teachers to drink and receive guests during office hours was a violation of Directive No. 17 dated August 17, 2013 of the People Committee of Dak Nong province, Point 2 in the directive is “Prohibited cadres, civil servants and public employees from drinking alcohol during office hours, including lunch breaks and on duty days.”

A female teacher shared that, in August 2022, angry at Ms. Oanh’s mistakes, the teachers made a complaint but did not dare to sign it and send it to many authorities. The purpose is for Ms. Oanh to realize her mistakes and change, but Ms. Oanh refuses to change.

After that, the delegation of Tuy Duc district returned to the school to work and suggested that if it is true that the school’s teacher made the accusation, then just boldly sign it, one can also sign it, so that after handling, there is an address to notify. This mission also committed to protect the identity of the whistleblower, protect the family, husband and children for teachers to sign the denunciation.

Therefore, on September 21, 24 teachers out of a total of 37 teachers and staff of the school signed their petitions and sent them to the People’s Committee of Tuy Duc district by post. However, for some reason, Ms. Oanh later captured the original denunciations. After knowing the names of the accusers, Ms. Oanh went to each teacher’s house to intervene, making the teacher very angry.

We do not agree with the settlement results of the People’s Committee of Tuy Duc district, so we will complain. Besides, we also propose to clarify the disclosure of whistleblowers’ information and handle according to regulations,”  this teacher said.

A similar incident happened in Ha Tinh in 2016 – The teacher’s reception was due to a political duty

That is the statement of Mr. Nguyen Van Ho, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hong Linh town, Ha Tinh province, when the incident of using a teacher to hosting guests broke down. This man said:

This mobilization has a policy, discussed through meetings, and guided in writing. The town mobilizes human resources from many non-business units, not just the education sector. Recruiting teachers with good looks along with pedagogical skills will make the reception more effective. Those who are sent out must be proud of being chosen to represent the local guests. It is not correct to say that mobilizing teachers to receive guests is an insult, because this is a common local job.

The newspaper also quoted a regretful preschool teacher: “During the party, when a cup of beer and wine is poured into the party, it is inevitable that actions such as hugging your shoulders and holding your neck will inevitably occur. It is not okay to show an attitude, for fear of losing the audience; even harshly criticized by superiors. But if you are too easy, you will be overwhelmed and sexually abused.”

Explaining this, Mr. Le Ba Thiem, Head of Education Department of Hong Linh town confirmed: There was mobilization of female teachers participating in serving ceremonies. “It’s completely innocent to go to the reception. However, in parties, alcohol comes in, words come out; someone has a bad deed, it’s also normal in life.”

From this strange point of view, it is understandable that female teachers have been sent to do things they don’t want to do. Is it to “save costs” or is it because the guests are tired of the service of the “professional receptionists” and want teachers to do this?

Thoibao.de (Translated)