VietNamNet Bridge – “November 20, 2008 is the saddest teachers’ day in my teaching life. At the school, my colleagues dare not share my sorrow,” said Do Viet Khoa, the teacher well known for his action of ‘declaring war’ against wrongdoings in education.

Teacher Do Viet Khoa

I have been working for Van Tao High School for eight years. In the first period, there were about ten teachers who loved each other and shared money, vegetable and meals

In 2003, the new school was built, and the life of teachers began changing. Money appeared in school, in teachers’ lessons. Teachers received bigger gifts and more money on Teachers’ day, and the purity of the teaching career became tainted.

In 2006, you became a famous person as you denounced the cheating occurring during final exams in the former province of Ha Tay. How has your life changed since then?

Many my students have been encouraging me. A lot of people know me and love me, which makes me feel happy. However, a lot of people began hating me, smearing both me and my family.

I met students who failed the final exams in 2006. I tried to persuade them to find suitable ways to learn for them, because I knew that they would still fail the exams if they took second and third exams.

One time, I met a man who was the father of a failed student while at a wedding. He said to me: “because of you, my son failed the exams. We are poor farmers, we need the diploma so that we can get a job.”

I once felt enthusiastic and happy when the Minister of Education and Training visited my home. I put high hopes on the Ministry’s movement on saying ‘no’ to the fraudulences in education. I could see that the students became more enthusiastic and eager to learn.

However, I became discouraged half a year later. I thought that the bad things would be eliminated when we denounced them, but…

What has made you feel discouraged recently?

The negative actions of relevant agencies. At school, I have been repressed, the lives of me and my family members have been threatened, but this has not caught any attention from the agencies.

I have many times filed complaints to relevant agencies, but I have not received any replies. I many times thought of giving up my job because I have been ill-treated. However, I have changed my mind. I will not betray those who have supported and believed in me.

What do you expect from the 2008 Teachers’ Day?

I have not been feeling happy over the last two Teachers’ days. Last year, I was defamed by the school’s leaders before many teachers. One year later, I was assaulted and my camera was grabbed. The saddest thing is that one of the two security guards was my classmate.

(Source: VNE)