Son La (VNA) - The People’s Courtof northwestern Son La province on May 29 announced punishment for 12 defendantsinvolved in score manipulations in the 2018 national high school examinations.

According to the indictment from the Son La provincialPeople’s Procuracy, the defendants took advantage of their positions and power forself-interest. Via relations with family, friends, and colleagues, they colludedwith one another to raise the scores of 44 examination takers.

The court said the defendants’ actions were dangerousfor society, offended teachers’ honour, caused inequality among examination takers,and stirred public concern, and so must be strictly handled to ensure future deterrence.

Among those found guilty of both “receiving bribes”and “abusing position and power while performing duties”, Lo Van Huynh (former headof the division for examination and educational quality management at the Son La provincial Department of Education and Training) will spend 21years in jail, including 15 years and six months for “receiving bribes” and fiveyears and six months for “abusing position and power while performing duties”.

Nguyen Thi Hong Nga (former specialistat the division for examination and educational quality management ) was given a 15-year prison sentencefor the former and a further four years and six months for the latter, totalling19 years and six months behind bars.

Cam Thi Bun Son (former deputy head of the department’sdivision for politics and ideology) was sentenced to six years and four years behindbars for the two offences.

The court also decided to imprison Tran Xuan Yen(former Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training) for nine years,ban him from serving in any official position for five years, and fine him 50 millionVND (2,200 USD) for “abusing position and power while performing duties”.

Guilty of the same offence, Dang Huu Thuy (formerVice Rector of To Hieu High School) was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined20 million VND, while Nguyen Thanh Nhan (former deputy head of the division forexamination and educational quality management) will spend 30 months in prison.

Do Khac Hung and Dinh Hai Son, former cadres of theinternal political security division at the provincial Department of Public Security,received suspended sentences of three years and 24 months.

For “offering bribes”, Nguyen Minh Khoa (former deputyhead of the internal political security division at the Department of Public Security)was given a jail sentence of eight years, while Tran Van Dien (a former cadre atthe Chieng Coi Primary and Junior High School) received a sentence of nine yearsand a fine of 10 million VND.

Hoang Thi Thanh (former Chairwoman of the Farmers’Union in Son La province’s Quynh Nhai district) and Lo Thi Truong (a residentof Son La city) were given suspended sentences of three years and 30 months. Bothwere freed at the first-instance trial, which began on May 21./.