Learning environment unsafeBy Son Nguyen Concerns about the learning environment have intensified given innumerable misdeeds by teachers lately, from babysitters brutally beating toddlers to teachers insulting students, or maltreating students causing severe bodily harm, and most recently a headmaster sexually abusing some of his students. Although such heart-ripping events do not depict the complete picture of the country’s education, the public trust has to some extent been shattered, and thus tough measures rather than lip service must be taken immediately to restore people’s confidence in schools as safe places for their kids. Much has been discussed in local media about counter-educational behaviors by teachers at schools, but the sexual abuse by the principal of a boarding school in the northern province of Phu Tho that was revealed last week is so shocking that it sends the entire society to its feet. In this scandal, apart from harsh criticisms directed at the … [Read more...] about Learning environment unsafe
Environment protection quotes
Hanoi strives to reduce plastic use
Plastic bags are sold at a traditional market in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Hanoi aims to reduce the use of plastic bags in the traditional markets, supermarkets and trade centres to protect the environment as well as ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem. This is the action plan of the Hanoi People’s Committee that aims to implement the sustainable production and consumption programme by 2020. The city also plans to increase the percentage of enterprises in industrial parks and complex applying eco-friendly technologies to 60-70 percent. Under the plan, Hanoi will raise public awareness of the use of plastics, urge and educate enterprises to trade plastic products and nylon bags for recyclable materials instead. Most of the city’s markets and supermarkets do not use eco-friendly plastic bags, the Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper reported. Do Thi Mai, a fruit shop in Linh Nam ward, Hoang Mai district, said she consumed over 1kg of nylon bags a day. … [Read more...] about Hanoi strives to reduce plastic use
Hà Nội strives to reduce plastic use
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội aims to reduce the use of plastic bags in the traditional markets, supermarkets and trade centres to protect environment as well as ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem. This is the action plan of the Hà Nội People’s Committee that aims to implement the sustainable production and consumption programme by 2020. The city also plans to increase the percentage of enterprises in industrial parks and complex applying eco-friendly technologies to 60-70 per cent. Under the plan, Hà Nội will raise public awareness on the use of plastics, urge and educate enterprises to trade plastic products and nylon bags for recyclable materials instead. Most of the city’s markets and supermarkets do not use eco-friendly plastic bags, the Lao Động (Labour) newspaper reported. Đỗ Thị Mai, a fruit shop in Lĩnh Nam Ward, Hoàng Mai District, said she consumed over 1kg of … [Read more...] about Hà Nội strives to reduce plastic use
Sinking the environment
Friday's Tale Sinking the environment Son Nguyen Friday, Jul 14, 2017,14:28 (GMT+7) Sinking the environmentSon Nguyen Grave concern is the overwhelming perception in all walks of life following a recent decision by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to allow Vinh Tan 1 Power Company Ltd. to sink nearly one million cubic meters of sand and mud into the waters off Binh Thuan Province. As per the decision issued a fortnight ago, the company, owner of Vinh Tan 1 Thermopower Plant, is given three months till the end of October to dump that huge volume of sand and mud onto the seabed eight kilometers from the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area. Such a move, according to local media, is feared to pollute a large swathe of the sea in the long term, despite assurances from the ministry to safeguard the environment. The waste is said to be comprised of mud, sand, shell, gravel and other sediments dredged from the seabed by the … [Read more...] about Sinking the environment
Stressful environment
Friday's Tale Stressful environment Son Nguyen Friday, Mar 2, 2018,22:06 (GMT+7) Stressful environmentSon Nguyen The proposed scheme by the Ministry of Finance to raise the environment tax on fuels from this July has been stiffly objected from far and wide, with many experts questioning the ministry’s wisdom in spurring State budget revenue disguised under the environmental cause. Under a draft Government resolution passed around by the ministry for public comment, the tax sum will rise to VND4,000 per liter of petrol from the current VND3,000, while the additional sums on other fuels range from VND500 to VND1,100 a liter. As widely covered in local media in the past several days, such a proposal is wrongly purported, as the underlying target is to replenish the State budget rather than to remedy the environment harmed by the use of fuels. The ministry’s approach, say experts, might also result in adverse impacts on … [Read more...] about Stressful environment