Quang Bi 1 Primary School in Quang Bi commune, part of the former Chuong My district, has suspended its lunch program, effective this week. The head of the parent committee at the school announced last night that the school will provide further notice regarding the resumption of the program.

The suspension comes after the Quang Bi commune People's Committee terminated its contract with the previous meal provider. The committee stated that the contractor "did not fully meet required conditions," prompting the search for a new supplier. Approximately 2,600 students are affected by this change. The school has requested parents to arrange for timely and safe transportation for their children.

Parents have acknowledged the swift resolution efforts by both the school and local authorities. Their concerns were initially raised with authorities following a lunch served on september 23, where the main dish was fried pork that parents described as looking "like pork cracklings."

Although authorities initially suggested the appearance might be a misunderstanding due to "improperly prepared" pork belly and pork hock, making the meal "not look appetizing," they conceded that the complaint about the meal not being commensurate with the 40,000 dong price was "justified."

This incident adds to a series of complaints regarding school lunch programs in Ha Noi since the beginning of the new academic year. Previously, parents at Trung Gia Primary School expressed frustration over "meager" meal portions, also priced at 40,000 dong. Additionally, several schools, including Kim Bai, Nguyen Quy Duc, and Duc Giang Primary Schools, reported instances of meals being delivered 2-3 hours late.

In Ha Noi, over 633,000 primary students, across both public and private schools, receive a daily subsidy of 28,000-40,000 dong for their lunch program meals. This represents an 8,000 dong increase compared to the previous academic year. The typical charge at most schools ranges from 35,000-40,000 dong, with any additional costs covered by parents.

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Fried pork "like pork cracklings" in the Quang Bi 1 Primary School students' lunch program meal on september 23. Still image from a video provided by parents.

Thanh Hang