Former principal arrested for embezzling student aid money

The Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Province Police has initiated a criminal case and temporarily detained Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha, former Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (Bac Ha District) for his wrongful spending and appropriation of student support funds. The school once caused a stir in public opinion when 11 students had breakfast with 2 packs of instant noodles mixed with rice.

On October 23, Lao Cai Provincial Police informed about the initiation of a criminal case and the execution of an arrest warrant for Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha (47 years old), residing in La Lang village, Ta Chai commune, Bac Ha district; former Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, Hoang Thu Pho commune, Bac Ha district.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha was arrested on the afternoon of October 22.

Specifically, on the afternoon of October 22, the Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Provincial Police initiated a criminal case, prosecuted and temporarily detained Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha for the crime of: Abusing position and power while performing official duties, which occurred at Hoang Thu Pho 1 School, Hoang Thu Pho Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province.

The decisions and orders to temporarily detain Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha were approved by the Lao Cai Provincial People's Procuracy before being implemented.

'11 students ate 2 packs of noodles with rice' case: Former principal arrested

According to the Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Province Police, through collected documents, it was initially determined that from 2022 - 2023, Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha directed the withdrawal of policy funding to support students in the amount of 765,264,000 VND, based on Decree 116/2016/ND-CP, dated July 18, 2016 of the Government.

Of the above amount, the Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Province Police determined that Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha had wrongly spent and appropriated more than 52.5 million VND.

On the afternoon of October 22, the Investigation Police Agency, Lao Cai Provincial Police, searched the residence of the accused Tran Ngoc Ha in Tai Chai Commune, Bac Ha District and continued to coordinate with the Lao Cai Provincial People's Procuracy to investigate and expand the case for handling in accordance with the provisions of law.

Previously, in mid-December 2023, the 24-hour Movement program ( Vietnam Television ) reported that the meals of students at Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities showed signs of being cut.

Although receiving monthly financial support, the public financial menu clearly states that each student is given a breakfast of 1 pack of instant noodles and 1 egg. However, during breakfast at the boarding kitchen at Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, each tray of 11 students is only allowed to eat 2 packs of instant noodles with rice.

In this case, Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee has directed Bac Ha District People's Committee and relevant agencies to verify and confirm that the information reported by the press is well-founded.

After that, Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha took responsibility for his leadership and direction, leading to bad public opinion in society, so he submitted his resignation.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha's resignation letter from the position of Principal of Hoang Thu Pho 1 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities was accepted by the People's Committee of Bac Ha District, but because the incident involved many people, at many times and was complicated, the People's Committee of Bac Ha District then transferred the case to the police for further investigation.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lao-cai-bat-nguyen-hieu-truong-chiem-doat-tien-ho-tro-hoc-sinh-185241023123719527.htm