The Government Office has just issued document No. 7385/VPCP-KGVX conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long regarding the poor quality of meals for students at Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

The document stated: Tuoi Tre Online newspaper on October 7, 2024 and some mass media reported that the quality of meals for students at Hanoi University of Science and Technology was not guaranteed during two weeks of national defense and security education.

Regarding this matter, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to urgently direct the inspection and strict handling of violations according to regulations; at the same time, strengthen the direction, management and inspection of the implementation of food hygiene and safety for students in educational institutions, ensuring quality and safety, and preventing similar cases from recurring.

* According to some media reports, new students at Hanoi University of Science and Technology have to eat leftover rice and soup during their national defense and security education classes. Not only that, some students said they have discovered "foreign objects" such as cockroaches in the food at the A15 cafeteria many times.

Immediately after receiving information from the press, the leadership of Hanoi University of Science and Technology conducted a comprehensive inspection of the organization of centralized meals and accommodation for students at the Faculty of National Defense and Security Education. Through the inspection, the working group noted that some information reported by the press was true, although the unit providing meals had provided explanations but they were not convincing enough.

The Hanoi University of Science and Technology's leadership has directed to immediately stop the contract with the current food supplier for new students studying national defense and security education. On the night of October 7, the school organized a meeting with students studying national defense and security education to hear their opinions, thoughts, and aspirations. Relevant units were assigned to direct the inspection and supervision of the quantity and quality of food used according to prescribed standards and ensure food hygiene and safety. About 500 students studying National Defense and Security Education at Hanoi University of Science and Technology have been transferred to the school's canteen for staff and lecturers while waiting for the school to evaluate the new food supplier.

On the morning of October 8, Major General Tran Ngoc Thanh, Director of the Department of National Defense and Security Education of the Ministry of Education and Training, represented the Ministry of Education and Training to grasp the situation, and together with local health agencies and leaders of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, directly inspected the school's kitchens.

It is known that the country currently has 46 National Defense - Security Education centers. This is the only subject implemented by law, students must eat and stay in full concentration according to each level and grade. Since the beginning of the school year, the Ministry of Education and Training has issued guidelines for National Defense - Security Education. According to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training, units that organize centralized meals for students studying this subject must be divided into portions, ensuring quantity, quality and food hygiene and safety for students.