Ms. Hoai, a parent from class 8/3, reported that the homeroom teacher compelled many students to pay fines for not adhering to the schedule he set. The teacher mandated that the entire class go to sleep before 9 PM and wake up at 5 AM. The class monitor was tasked with taking attendance within a group, and any student failing to comply would face a fine of 100,000 VND per violation.

"The students, though resentful, feared speaking out, anticipating harsher penalties. Some had already incurred fines exceeding 200,000 VND. When we voiced our concerns, the teacher stated he would not engage with parents," Ms. Hoai recounted.

Parents also expressed frustration that the teacher frequently assigned homework without providing corrections. Students struggling to understand the material were reportedly made to stand at the back of the classroom for multiple periods.

Students were required to pay monetary fines for failing to adhere to the teacher's stipulated schedule. Illustration: AI

On 22/12, Duong Tan Phuoc, Principal of Tran Van Dang Secondary School in Tan Hoa ward, confirmed the incident in a statement to VnExpress. The homeroom teacher of class 8/3 acknowledged his approach was inappropriate, though he claimed the actual fines collected were not as substantial as reported by parents.

"The total amount collected by the teacher was not significant; some students were fined 10,000 VND, others a few tens of thousands. This method is incorrect, despite his intention to benefit the students," Principal Phuoc stated.

Principal Phuoc indicated that the school and parents have agreed to replace the homeroom teacher for class 8/3 starting from the second semester, aiming to ensure students' peace of mind in their studies. The school will lower the involved teacher's performance ranking, impacting his additional income for Quarter IV. The school is also considering further disciplinary actions for public employees.

Nine years prior, the school had suspended the same male teacher from teaching for verbally abusing students and forcing them to kneel as punishment.

"This will serve as an aggravating factor during the school's disciplinary review," the principal added.

By Le Nguyen

*Names of teacher and parents have been changed