Dinh Bang My, 59, headmaster of Thanh Son Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary School, has just been arrested and prosecuted for sexually abusing some grade 7, 8 and 9 pupils. 

Dinh Bang My, headmaster of Thanh Son Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary School

According to the victims, they were summoned to the principal’s office and sexually abused. The boys were then given sweets and VND20,000 (USD0.86) to VND30,000 (USD1.29) afterwards.

The students, however, did not tell anybody about the incidents due to fear of being expelled.

The case was only brought to light recently when a victim shared his story with a reporter from Vietnam Television.

Under the government’s instruction signed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, such teachers must be sacked out of the education sector.

The deputy PM also ordered the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs along with authorities of localities nationwide to tighten the code of ethics. Any violator will be strictly punished.

Lawyer Tran Xuan Tien, head of Dong Doi Law Firm, said that under the Article 146 of the Penal Code, molesting people under 16 years old may face the sentence of from six months to three years in prison.