Dak Lak school security checks stir controversy

A private school in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has assigned staff to perform searches on students before they enter class.

A private school in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has assigned staff to perform searches on students before they enter class.

Some parents whose children are studying at Dong Du Secondary and High School in Buon Ma Thuot City disagree with the school’s policy.

Every morning, a row of tables is set up at the main gate and several security guards and teachers check students’ bags for prohibited items such as knives, scissors or cigarettes.

 

Students at Dong Du Secondary and High School checked every morning: Photo by T.T

After the bag check, students are asked to raise both hands to be screened.

A woman whose son attends the school said that it was not too inconvenient for male students to be checked, but for girls, it may be quite a sensitive issue, particularly given their age.

School headmaster Le Ngoc Son said the checks had been carried out for many years. Thanks to this, school violence has been curbed.

Son added that male teachers would check boys, while female teachers were responsible for female students.

Many students are unhappy with the checks, saying that it was unnecessary. Instead, the school only needs to remind students not to bring in knives, scissors or cigarettes to school.

Pham Dang Khoa, director of Dak Lak Province’s Department of Education and Training asked the school to stop the security checks.

The school was right to mitigate violence, but what they had done was inappropriate. Students have the right to learn in a friendly environment, Khoa added.