11 students ate 2 packs of instant noodles: Former principal faces 'criminal' charges

Lao Cai Provincial Police have arrested the former Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities for the crime of "Abusing position and power while performing official duties".

The Economic Police Department, Lao Cai Provincial Police, in coordination with Bac Ha District Police, issued a Decision to initiate a criminal case, prosecute the accused and execute an Arrest Warrant to detain Tran Ngoc Ha (born in 1977; Former Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities) to investigate the crime of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties" as prescribed in Point b, Clause 2, Article 356 of the Penal Code 2015, amended and supplemented in 2017.

The above decisions and orders were approved by the People's Procuracy of Lao Cai province before implementation. According to Lao Cai Electronic Newspaper, through collected documents, it was initially determined that from 2022 - 2023, Tran Ngoc Ha directed the withdrawal of policy funds to support students according to Decree 116/2016/ND-CP dated July 18, 2016 of the Government, with an amount of 765,264,000 VND. Of the total amount mentioned above, Tran Ngoc Ha wrongly spent and appropriated 52,538,200 VND.

The Provincial Police Investigation Agency also searched the residence of the accused Tran Ngoc Ha in Ta Chai Commune, Bac Ha District. The Provincial Police Investigation Agency continues to coordinate with the Provincial People's Procuracy to investigate and expand the case for handling in accordance with the provisions of law.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha's violations have negatively affected the implementation of the Party's guidelines and State policies. In addition, Mr. Ha has also affected the reputation of the cadres, civil servants, public ethics, and teachers' ethics. Mr. Ha himself has caused damage to the rights and interests of those in need of support, causing loss of the State budget. Based on the Party's regulations, the Standing Committee of the Bac Ha District Party Committee has decided to discipline Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha by "Expulsion".

Previously, in December 2023, an article was published: Abnormal boarding meals in mountainous areas: 11 students ate 2 packs of instant noodles with rice, reflecting on the situation of boarding meals that did not ensure quality, even showing signs of cutting corners at Hoang Thu Pho 1 primary boarding school for ethnic minorities, in Bac Ha district - Lao Cai.

Reporter's note, breakfast at the boarding kitchen. Each tray has 11 children competing for 2 packs of instant noodles cooked thinly with rice. Although the menu and financial disclosure clearly state that 174 boarding students are entitled to a breakfast of 1 pack of instant noodles and 1 egg each.

Breakfast was not enough in quantity, lunch and dinner were not much better as each 11-person tray only had a little chopped ham and a pot of soup. However, the school principal - Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha said that this was enough.

According to Decree 81 of the Government, each month, a boarding student will receive a meal allowance of 720,000 VND and 15 kg of rice. On average, Hoang Thu Pho 1 School receives more than 125 million VND per month to organize meals for the boarding students.

The Department of Education and Training shall preside over and coordinate with the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to review the organization of meals for boarding and semi-boarding students and the implementation of other policies for students at educational institutions under its management.

Direct the strict implementation of regulations on financial management, assets, purchasing educational equipment and regulations on teachers' ethics; strengthen state management of education; actively build a safe, healthy and friendly educational environment.

Previously, according to the reflection, at Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, Bac Ha district, there were irregularities in the boarding meals of students such as according to the portion, each student was given a pack of instant noodles but in reality 11 students shared 2 packs. In addition, the menu related to meat, ham, green vegetables... was said to also have irregularities.