Lương Thế Vinh Primary School in Bến Cát Ward, HCM City.

HCM CITY — Five primary school pupils in HCM City who their homeroom teacher told to inject themselves with a syringe as a form of punishment have shown normal initial blood test results, and are being closely monitored, local authorities said.

The teacher, identified as 36-year-old L.T.M., meanwhile has been placed on leave, according to the school.

The Bến Cát Ward People’s Committee on Thursday confirmed that preliminary medical checks had been completed for the five students involved in the incident, and no signs of infection or communicable diseases were detected so far.

The pupils’ health remains stable. Both the school and families are continuing to monitor not only their physical condition but also their psychological wellbeing following the incident.

The school has temporarily reassigned another teacher to take over the class. It is also implementing measures to reassure and support affected students. Disciplinary procedures against M. are under way in accordance with legal and professional regulations.

The case first drew public attention on Wednesday after reports circulated online alleging that several pupils had been punished by being instructed to inject themselves with a syringe.

According to a parent of a third-grade student at Lương Thế Vinh Primary School, the incident occurred on Monday.

The parent noticed their child returning home tired and distressed; upon questioning, the child said they had been punished for not wearing the red scarf (a required uniform of the Hồ Chí Minh Young Pioneer Organisation) by being told to prick their own hand with a syringe.

Other pupils reportedly faced similar punishment for classroom infractions such as chatting, not sleeping during noon nap time, or violating school rules. The incident has raised concerns over student safety and the potential risk of transmitting infectious diseases.

Following complaints, Lương Thế Vinh school's leadership worked with the teacher and parents, confirming that five pupils had been subjected to the punishment.

During a meeting, the teacher reportedly said she had purchased syringes for personal use when her child was ill. She later placed them on the desk and told pupils: “If you misbehave, take the syringe and prick your own hand; I will not do it for you.”

Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Hạnh, the school’s principal, described the act as a serious violation of professional ethics, infringing upon the pupils’ health and bodily integrity. She said the teacher’s actions reflected a fundamentally flawed approach to education and violated children’s rights.

HCM City's Department of Education and Training has ordered a strict handling of the case in line with teaching standards and regulations. Authorities in Bến Cát Ward said they are continuing their investigation and will report the outcome in due course. — VNS