A still image taken from a video shows a worker force-feeding a child at a nursery in Ben Tre Province, southern Vietnam.
The footage captured a woman grabbing the head of a two-year-old child and repeatedly stuffing food into his mouth, despite the child crying and spitting up food.
An official from the provincial Department of Education and Training said on Friday that the incident occurred at Thu Suong Nursery, located in Tiem Tom Town under Ba Tri District.
Following the video’s circulation, the department directed the district’s education and training division to coordinate with local authorities to address the case and ensure strict handling of the child abuse.
A broader scrutiny of private childcare institutions across the province has also been ordered.
The nursery’s owner admitted that the woman in the video is a kitchen staff member at Thu Suong Nursery.
The nursery was caring for 54 children at the time of the incident in early April.
According to a written report, the staff resorted to force-feeding because some children were reportedly eating poorly.
The inspection team concluded that the nursery violated educational and childcare regulations.
The environment was deemed unsafe for children's physical and emotional well-being.
Based on findings and current legal provisions governing educational operations, the Tiem Tom Town People’s Committee officially issued a decision to suspend the nursery’s operations.
To ensure continuity of care for the affected children, the provincial department encouraged their parents to transfer their kids to other nurseries in the town, or neighboring communes.
