However, many parents were frustrated as they were not allowed to attend the meeting, leading them to wait outside and demand a meeting with the school’s administration, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the local Ward People’s Committee.
Parents Seek Answers on Substandard Food Allegations
By around 7 PM that day, after a long wait, the parents began discussions with Ms. Nguyễn Thái Quỳnh Nga, Principal of T.V. Elementary School, and Mr. Nguyễn Mậu Hà, Chairman of Xuân Hương Ward People’s Committee in Đà Lạt.
Notably, the meeting was attended by Ms. T., who had posted allegations on social media about the school’s procurement of substandard food.
During the meeting, parents demanded that the school administration confirm whether Ms. T.’s allegations were true. They asked if the school was aware of the repeated procurement of substandard food, whether this food had been served to students, and who would be held accountable if it had.
Whistleblower: “If I’m Lying, I’ll Take Full Responsibility”
Principal Nga began by apologizing to the parents for the incident. She confirmed that substandard food had indeed been delivered to the school’s kitchen but asserted that it had not been served to students.
“The issue occurred in the kitchen, but we ensured that the substandard food was not given to the students,” Principal Nga stated.
She added that the matter was under investigation by the relevant authorities and promised to share the official results with parents as soon as they were available.
Principal Nguyễn Thái Quỳnh Nga addresses parents during the evening meeting on September 18.
Ms. T., a former kitchen staff member who posted the allegations, stood up to confront the claims, insisting that the substandard food had been cooked and served to students, contrary to the school’s assertion that it had been discarded.
“Out of conscience and ethics, I couldn’t remain silent. If my statements are false, I’m willing to face legal consequences,” Ms. T. declared.
She added that she and other kitchen staff had filed a complaint with the authorities on August 11 but had received no response.
Ms. T., the whistleblower who exposed the substandard food allegations at T.V. Elementary School.
Regarding her departure from the school, Ms. T. explained that the former kitchen team, who had filed the complaint, was unexpectedly terminated. She noted that the team had initially requested a meeting to address the substandard food issue but was denied by the principal. It was only after they submitted a complaint to the Party Committee that a meeting was granted.
Ms. T. mentioned that their contracts ended on May 31, but they were only called for a meeting on June 2.
“After we raised the issues, it became clear to all teachers that they too had unknowingly consumed the substandard food. There were times when even we, the kitchen staff, ate it without realizing,” Ms. T. revealed.
Authorities Pledge to Share Investigation Results
Mr. Nguyễn Mậu Hà, Chairman of Xuân Hương Ward People’s Committee, explained that the evening meeting aimed to understand the concerns of teachers and parents regarding the incident.
He assured that the local authorities would thoroughly investigate the matter, ensuring fairness and accountability. “Wherever there is wrongdoing, we will address it, and those responsible will be held accountable,” he stated.
Parents demand answers from T.V. Elementary School’s administration.
Regarding the earlier complaint about substandard food, Mr. Hà confirmed that the ward had received the petition and immediately summoned the complainants for discussion. However, as the complaint was filed collectively, the ward requested that a single representative be designated to take responsibility for the allegations.
After providing guidance, the ward invited the complainants for further discussions, requesting relevant evidence to support their claims. At that time, the complainants could only provide some photos but lacked sufficient documentation for the ward to proceed.
“Given the seriousness of the issue, particularly its impact on student health and public concern, we forwarded the case to specialized agencies and departments for review. We also instructed the police to monitor and handle the situation according to regulations,” Mr. Hà explained.
Mr. Nguyễn Mậu Hà, Chairman of Xuân Hương Ward People’s Committee.
Mr. Hà emphasized that the case is currently under review by both the ward and the police. Once the final results are available, they will be promptly shared with parents. He urged the community to remain calm and trust the process.
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Multiple Complaints About Food Quality at T.V. Elementary School As previously reported by Người Lao Động Newspaper, a social media post alleged that T.V. Elementary School had been procuring substandard food for its students from late 2024 to April 2025. In the 2025-2026 academic year, the school has 1,700 students, including 700 boarding students. Following the allegations, many parents expressed concern, with some opting to take their children home rather than allowing them to eat at the school. The Lâm Đồng Provincial People’s Committee has directed the Xuân Hương Ward People’s Committee to collaborate with relevant agencies to investigate the allegations of substandard food procurement at T.V. Elementary School. |
