The case of a teacher asking for donations to buy a computer: A manifestation of "power addiction"?

"Human dignity and honor are like a cup of water, once broken it is difficult to get back"

A series of articles reflecting on the case of teacher TPH - a teacher at Chuong Duong Primary School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City - asking parents to support money to buy a personal computer after one day of posting received more than 1,500 comments from readers on the website and Facebook platform of Dan Tri newspaper.

Most comments expressed indignation and anger at the actions of the female homeroom teacher of class 4/3.

Reader Chau left a long comment: "What a pity! As a teacher, you sell your reputation so cheaply! Being a teacher, besides being a profession to earn a living, is also a profession that contributes to the formation of values ​​and ethics of a person, especially in the first years of life."

According to Chau, the teacher stood on the podium but did not clearly understand her position and role as well as the career she had chosen, allowing her material life to drift into such an undeserved dark corner.

Through this, readers believe that society needs to have a broader view, beyond the scope of a single event to reflect and consider.

This reader also expressed the pressure of parents. As a father or mother, everyone worries about their children. The person who holds that belief of theirs is none other than the teacher. Therefore, the education sector has the highest special characteristics in terms of ethics and humanity.

"There are mistakes that can be unintentionally violated, but the mistake of taking advantage of and trampling on the trust of others is absolutely not allowed. Because once it happens, it is very difficult to have a chance to fix it. Dignity and honor are like a cup of water, once broken, it is almost impossible to get it back," reader Chau wrote.

Parents struggle with tuition fees at the beginning of the year (Illustration: Huyen Nguyen).

Sharing the same opinion, Ta Ngoc Thang commented that the TPH teacher's request for 6 million VND from parents to buy a computer... had to sacrifice both honor and integrity. This was really not worth it at all.

More deeply, reader Thang believes that it shows the long-standing chronic disease of society: "power addiction". This disease is appearing in all ages and all professions.

Commentator Duong Minh Duc stated that compared to other professions, teachers' salaries are already very high. Teachers must purchase their own equipment (or have the school provide it) and cannot ask parents to contribute an additional amount beyond the regulations. This is unacceptable. Parents should only support those amounts that are of practical benefit to students in their studies.

Introducing himself as a teacher who has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years, Hoan Pham said that from chalk, pens to backpacks and laptops, he completely bought everything himself to teach.

According to him, the whole country has more than 1 million teachers, if everyone demands like the teacher, parents will have to "bear the brunt of the burden". Therefore, the reader suggested that there should be a form of discipline, not just an apology and negotiation with the parents.

"Look at how hard teachers in flood-hit and remote areas work to educate their children. In the city, being favored too much can lead to corruption," Hoan Pham commented.

Readers of Vietnam Steel wrote: "Stories of teachers lacking conscience and ethics like this are eroding students' trust in education day by day, hour by hour. We need to resolutely clean up the educational environment."

Strongly tackle the problem of overcharging and petty corruption

Expanding on the issue, Michael's account pointed out that overcharging in schools is becoming a pressing issue.

"Everyone knows that, why isn't there any investigation or inspection? In an educational environment where schools and teachers try every way to make money from students, how can they train generations of people with good morals?" Michael wrote.

Many comments say that the act of asking or suggesting parents to support or provide for teachers is a manifestation of "petty" corruption, taking advantage of influence, position and power to do something that is not allowed.

Account Pham Trang left a comment: "Since when does the provision of personal belongings have to be contributed by parents?"

Readers believe that it is necessary to take strong measures to eliminate overcharging in schools (Illustration: Ngoc Diep).

Regarding the solution, many people think that cases like this need to be handled seriously, even expelled from the industry.

Reader Thuy Duong wrote: "Teachers should take their heart as the foundation to create talents for society. Requesting the Ministry of Education to expel them from the profession, warn them or reprimand them will not solve the worries of parents."

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Ngoc said that money is "blinding" people. In many places, there are still teachers who use other people's children to "threaten" parents, demanding benefits for themselves. Such people have seriously violated teachers' ethics.

Reader Ho Ho pointed out that recently, the education sector has had many cases of wrongful collection and expenditure, overcharging at the beginning of the school year, but the disciplinary measures have been "careless", only stopping at reprimands and reminders. Therefore, there needs to be a very strict disciplinary measure to prevent teachers from asking for favors, so that the education sector can develop well.

Request to strictly handle the case of a teacher asking parents for money to buy a computer

Regarding this incident, Vice Chairwoman of District 1 People's Committee, Ho Chi Minh City Mai Thi Hong Hoa affirmed that the case of a teacher asking parents for money to buy a laptop was an isolated incident. The District has directed strict handling.

"The People's Committee of District 1 has directed relevant units to strictly handle the above incident. The school principals in the district have also reviewed everything and must not let similar cases happen again," the Vice Chairman of District 1 emphasized.

According to Ms. Mai Thi Hong Hoa, the initial handling of the incident is to temporarily suspend the TPH teacher from teaching. The school also assigned another teacher with prestige to take on the role of homeroom teacher of the above class.

The entire amount of money the teacher received from parents to buy the computer must also be returned. The district leaders also requested the District 1 Education Department to continue to monitor and closely grasp the case.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/vu-co-giao-xin-ung-ho-tien-mua-may-tinh-bieu-hien-ngao-quyen-luc-20240929113833642.htm