The defendants in court. — VNA/VNS Photo Hữu Quyết

SƠN LA — The People’s Procuracy in the northern province of Sơn La on Sunday proposed prison terms from two to 25 years for 12 defendants involved in test score manipulation in the 2018 national high school examinations.

A sentence of 23-25 years was proposed for Nguyễn Thị Hồng Nga, a former official, and Lò Văn Huynh, former head of the Department of Education and Training’s division for examination and educational quality management, for taking bribes and abuse of power.

A term of 9-11 years was proposed for Cầm Thị Bun Sọn, former deputy head of the department’s division for politics and thought, on the same charges.

The Procuracy suggested terms of 5-8 years for three other defendants who are accused of abuse of power, including Trần Xuân Yến, former deputy director of the Sơn La Provincial Department of Education and Training, Đặng Hữu Thủy, former deputy principal of Tô Hiệu High School, and Đỗ Khắc Hưng, a Sơn La police officer.

The four defendants charged with receiving bribes include Trần Văn Điện, a former librarian at Chiềng Cơi Primary and Junior High School; Nguyễn Minh Khoa, a Sơn La police officer; Hoàng Thị Thanh, former chairman of Quỳnh Nhai District’s Farmers Association; and Lò Thị Trường, a resident of Sơn La City. They face 2-13 years in prison.

The Procuracy also suggested fines of VNĐ30-50 million ($1,285-2,140) for each defendant for abuse of power while performing their duties and VNĐ40-50 million for receiving or giving bribes.

According to the indictment, the defendants took advantage of their positions and power for self-interest. Via relations with family, friends and colleagues, they colluded to raise the scores of 44 students.

Sơn La reported the country’s lowest average score of 4.21. However, the province’s number of students scoring 9 or above out of 10 in mathematics and physics exceeded those in other localities.

Their actions were considered serious and had caused a loss in public trust in examinations and teachers. At the same time, they were detrimental to students who performed well and caused public outrage. — VNS