Parents locked out of school meeting after arriving one hour late

Parents were denied entry to a school meeting after arriving nearly one hour late for the 7h start time, with the principal stating their tardiness showed disrespect for the school.

An incident at Nguyen Khuyen High School's back-to-school parent meeting in Phuoc Thang ward garnered significant attention after a parent posted about it on social media on 13/9.

One parent reported that the meeting was scheduled to begin at 7h with the principal in the schoolyard, followed by sessions with homeroom teachers in classrooms starting at 8h. Entry was denied to anyone arriving after 7h.

Speaking to VnExpress on the evening of 14/9, Ms. Lu Thi Tra Giang, the principal, confirmed the incident. She stated that the school made thorough preparations for the back-to-school parent meeting, including sending invitations, arranging parent reception and seating, and preparing discussion topics. The invitation explicitly noted the meeting time, alongside a request for "parents to attend on time".

Ms. Giang explained that the 7h meeting covered several important topics the school wished to discuss with parents: not collecting class or school funds, prohibiting student phone use for a specific period, investing in 12th-grade students for high competency assessment exam results, and developing strategies for them to compete in gifted student exams.

"The school has 2,058 students. Most parents attended on time," she stated, adding, "approximately several dozen parents who arrived late were not permitted entry." She also mentioned that the school gates closed at 7h55, by which time all parents had proceeded to meetings with homeroom teachers.

"The meeting proceeded smoothly because I personally checked. Outside, many individuals arrived almost an hour late. I instructed the gates to be closed, as entry at that point would cause disruption and loss of focus," she added. The principal emphasized that over 2,000 parents respected the school by attending on time, and the school's discipline and order could not be compromised for a small minority.

Ms. Giang acknowledged that the handling of the situation was not ideal and stated she would review the approach. However, she maintained that the gates would continue to be closed for future meetings if parents arrived one hour late.

"Prior to future meetings, I will work with homeroom teachers to remind parents about timely attendance," she stated. "In unavoidable circumstances, parents must inform the school in advance for flexible entry."

Ms. Lu Thi Tra Giang previously served as principal of Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted before transferring to Nguyen Khuyen High School in early August 2026.