The HCM City Department of Education and Training asked local schools to tighten control over student events after a pole dance was performed in a high school playground.
Pole dancing at Le Thi Hong Gam High School
On September 5, ceremonies were held to mark the new school year at many schools across the country. After the official ceremony, students of Le Thi Hong Gam High School gathered in the playground to watch each other perform various acts.
The next day, a video clip of a pole dance performance by a former student quickly spread across the internet. The clip shows a young man dressed in women's clothes performing a pole dance. Even though the clip shows that some teachers were present, the performance was not stopped. The video attracted much criticism from those who think that the performance was inappropriate at a high school.
Two meetings were held later in order find solution to the problem. The assistant of the school's youth association was reprimanded for lax management. Since the performer had already graduated, the school could not sanction him, however the teachers who appear in the clip may be subject to disciplinary measures.
The school also reported the case to HCM City Department of Education and Training. On September 23, the department responded by saying that heads of all educational units must take responsibility for the organising the school festivals. Schools must now create pre-planned programs, assign specific responsibilities to each member and keep close control over the content. Teachers will have to monitor the festival in order to deal quickly with any unforeseen situations.
Heads of any educational units that allow content in their events which brings about negative public reactions must take full responsibility before the Department of Education and Training.
