Nghe An: Teacher with 4 diseases still transferred to difficult area

(Baonghean) - Despite submitting a series of documents to prove that she was sick, the leaders of Hung Nguyet district, Nghe An still decided to transfer Ms. Yen to teach in a difficult area.

» Nghe An: Teachers upset about being transferred

On October 23, Ms. Luu Mai Yen, a teacher at Hung Yen Nam Primary School (Hung Nguyen), said that she had just returned to teaching after nearly a month of leave for surgery for uterine fibroids. “After the surgery, I had to stay in the hospital for more than a week and then return home for treatment for another two weeks. Although I am now teaching, my health is still weak,” Ms. Yen said. Since being transferred to this school, due to health reasons, Ms. Yen has only been teaching for less than two weeks.

Ms. Yen is one of the teachers in Hung Nguyen who was upset about being transferred to teach in a difficult area, as reported by Nghe An Newspaper in its issue published on September 25. Recently, in an official dispatch responding to the newspaper's report, the People's Committee of Hung Nguyen District stated that Ms. Yen's transfer was "absolutely the right person".

Ms. Yen has just undergone uterine surgery. Photo. TH

According to this document, after receiving the notice of the transfer council, on August 4, Ms. Yen submitted a statement, along with a series of documents related to her health condition such as abdominal ultrasound results showing uterine fibroids, thyroid ultrasound, general ultrasound, test results, conclusions related to uterine fibroids, images of uterine fibroids, endocrine and metabolic examination and treatment records; medication dispensing forms, prescriptions related to arrhythmia, thyrotoxicosis...

However, according to the leader of Hung Nguyen district, these documents are still not enough. “Ms. Yen has been examined and has a number of prescriptions, test results, ultrasounds, and medical records mainly related to uterine fibroids and thyroid gland, but there are no medical records and documents clearly showing that she had to be hospitalized for treatment, and there are no records clearly showing heart failure…”, the document stated.

According to this document, after being transferred, on September 2, Ms. Yen posted an “open letter” on Facebook. “In the open letter, she used disrespectful words to criticize the individual and family of a comrade in the transfer council. This is an act that is not in accordance with the ethics and qualifications of a teacher,” the leader of Hung Nguyen district stated.

43-year-old female teacher is upset about the district's transfer decision. Photo: Tien Hung.

The People's Committee of this district believes that Ms. Yen's actions in not meeting the district leaders directly to present her case but instead choosing to react on social media are "disrespectful and uncooperative with the authorities and cause negative public opinion, negatively affecting the teaching staff, the education sector and the district". The Department of Education and Training of Hung Nguyen also believes that Ms. Yen's reactions on social media are "inappropriate" and has warned this teacher.

Meanwhile, speaking to Nghe An Newspaper reporter, Ms. Luu Mai Yen confirmed that she had previously presented the case to the district leaders many times but was not considered. “From the time I received the notice until the decision was made, it took a month. During that time, my family and I went to each relevant department of the district to present our case. At that time, I was sick so I asked my younger brother to meet the chairman and vice chairman of Hung Nguyen district. After listening to the presentation, some leaders also promised to consider not transferring me anymore. When the decision to transfer me was made, there was no other way to call for help, so I went online to present my case. They are too cruel,” Ms. Yen said.

An open letter written by Ms. Yen on Facebook. Photo: Tien Hung.

The 43-year-old female teacher said that she currently has four diseases: heart failure, goiter, thyroid gland and uterine fibroids. “I have been hospitalized for many years, both in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. I have clear medical records. They say I don’t have a medical record, that’s just an excuse. I will bring my medical records to present soon,” Ms. Yen said, adding that the series of documents she has submitted to the district are enough to prove that she has the disease.

However, according to the reporter's investigation, there are many cases of frustration with the transfer decisions of Hung Nguyen district. "I have been teaching for more than 20 years, and for many years I was transferred to a remote school in Hung Yen Nam. But until now I am still transferred to the farthest commune in the district, Hung Trung commune," said Ms. NTH (43 years old). Previously, it took less than 10 km from Ms. H's house to her old school, but now teaching in Hung Trung, the distance is up to 26 km.

“Previously, the rotation was arranged within a 15 km radius from the teacher's home to the school, but this year too many teachers were sent far away,” said Ms. H.

Medical record of Ms. Luu Mai Yen. Photo. Tien Hung.

Mr. Ho Van Hiep, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Nguyen District - the person assigned to preside over the district's teacher rotation project, affirmed that the transfer was discussed and agreed upon by 5 council members. "According to the project, those who have worked at a unit for 8-10 years are forced to rotate to work at another school. In the case of Ms. Yen, she has worked at Hoa Binh Primary School for 19 years. In her application, Ms. Yen only provided 1 medical examination book, some ultrasound papers and prescriptions. There is no medical record and she has not been to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, as a teacher, who doesn't get sick...", said Mr. Hiep.

Mr. Hiep said that according to the plan, those with serious illnesses will have their transfer postponed. However, the Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee did not provide a definition of what is considered a "serious illness". "There is no regulation on what constitutes a serious illness. But in my opinion, it could also mean being bedridden," Mr. Hiep said, adding that Ms. Yen's case "is not a serious illness" so she still needs to be transferred.

When asked whether teachers were “lobbying” to be transferred to schools near their homes, while those who refused to pay would be sent to teach far away, Mr. Hiep affirmed that “there was no such thing”. “I don’t know about the council members, but personally, I don’t think money influenced the decision,” said the Vice Chairman of the District People’s Committee.

Tien Hung