On May 13, the Department of Education and Training (GDĐT) of Gia Lai province said that it had reported to the Provincial People's Committee the results of inspection and verification of parents' reflections related to the organization of semi-boarding meals at 19/5 Kindergarten (Bo Ngoong commune).
Previously, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga (resident of Bo Ngoong commune; representative of a parental group) reflected that on November 11, 2025, the leaders of 19/5 Kindergarten had acts of "embezzling" student meals; the school did not publicize the menu during the week from November 10-14, 2025.
Through inspection, the Task Force of Gia Lai Provincial Department of Education and Training determined that the reflection of "embezzlement" of meals was unfounded, because parents could not provide evidence of the school providing food insufficient on November 11, 2025.
However, the Task Force determined that the actual amount of red tilapia used to prepare the meal on November 11, 2025 was not enough compared to the initial calculated portion size. The cause was determined to be objective factors, often occurring when students are late for school.
The working group also found that the collection and spending of semi-boarding expenses at the school still had some shortcomings such as not being included in the accounting books, cash collection and spending, and no purchase invoices. The responsibility belongs to the principal, vice principals, and part-time accounting staff.
Regarding the reflection that the school did not publicize the menu during the week, the Task Force determined that this content was correct. This responsibility and shortcoming belongs to the principal and vice principals of the school.
According to the explanation of school leaders and teachers of semi-boarding classes, at the beginning of the week, the school sent the menu file to teachers to notify parents, and also posted it on the bulletin board in front of the dining area.
However, on November 10, 2025, the vice principal in charge of boarding school took leave; on November 11, 2025, all school leaders attended a meeting at Bo Ngoong Commune People's Committee, so they did not have time to publicize the menu at the right time. The school said that the menu is applied in a 2-week repeat cycle, so parents still know the meal menu.
From the verification results, Gia Lai Provincial Department of Education and Training proposed that Bo Ngoong Commune People's Committee organize a review of responsibility for the Principal of 19/5 Kindergarten for allowing shortcomings to occur in the organization of semi-boarding.
Direct the principal to organize self-criticism and draw experience in the school collective, stop making mistakes in the coming time; add 1 accountant and 1 medical staff; strengthen guidance for educational institutions to properly implement regulations on revenue and expenditure of semi-boarding services.
Regarding the incident, Mr. Lam Hai Giang - Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee - assigned the Department of Education and Training to review all guidelines on organizing semi-boarding meals at preschool education institutions; evaluate the process of receiving food, determine portion sizes when class sizes fluctuate, and publicize weekly menus.
Promptly amend, supplement, and have new specific and easy-to-implement guidelines. In which, special attention is paid to guiding accounting nghiệp vụ, cash revenue and expenditure management procedures, invoice and document requirements for food supply units to thoroughly overcome errors in dossiers and books.
The Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee requested communes and wards to strengthen periodic and unscheduled inspections of semi-boarding work; strictly handle violations in semi-boarding financial management; strictly implement the disclosure of menus, servings and meal unit prices to strengthen parents' trust.
19/5 Kindergarten currently has 1 main school point and 5 satellite points. This school year, the school has 28 officials and employees, including 1 principal, 3 vice principals, 21 teachers, 2 catering staff and 1 security guard. Currently, the school has not arranged accounting staff.
The whole school has 11 classes with 386 students. Among them, 348 students participate in semi-boarding meals, including 152 students from 5 classes at the main school site and 5 classes organizing semi-boarding meals at village locations.
