Photo courtesy of VN Express

 

A young chemistry teacher in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, has been dismissed after physically disciplining students for incorrect answers and incomplete homework. The incident, which raised ethical concerns about teacher conduct, occurred at Anh Hung Nup High School during a grade 10 chemistry class. The 22-year-old teacher, who was on a short-term contract due to a staffing shortage, struck students on the hand with a ruler.

 

The school's principal, Nguyen Ngoc Quan, addressed the issue, noting that the disciplinary action violated Vietnamese law, which prohibits teachers from harming students. After the incident surfaced, the school quickly terminated the teacher's contract and issued an apology to students and parents. A replacement teacher has already taken over the affected class.

 

This incident highlights the ongoing teacher shortage in Vietnam, with over 100,000 positions unfilled nationwide. In Gia Lai Province alone, there is a need for at least 1,500 teachers, including more than 400 at the high school level. Schools have been resorting to hiring graduates on short-term contracts as a stopgap measure, offering them priority for full-time positions when available.

 

Educational experts are concerned about the implications of hiring underprepared teachers due to this shortage. While short-term contracts help fill immediate gaps, these arrangements might compromise educational quality and student safety. Critics argue for systemic reforms to attract and retain qualified teachers and ensure adherence to ethical guidelines.

 

Looking forward, Vietnam's Ministry of Education may need to review its hiring practices and explore strategies to address the shortage without compromising standards. Additional resources and support for educators could prevent similar incidents and improve teaching conditions, reported VN Express.

 

Key Takeaways

• A Vietnam teacher was dismissed for physically disciplining students.
• The incident exposes challenges from a nationwide teacher shortage.
• Systemic reforms are needed to address staffing and ethical concerns.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-11-14

 

 

Dismissed, not suspended, not transferred to an inactive post, not transferred to another school.  Dismissed.

 

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