Recently, a canteen contractor reported that the leadership of a high school in Henan province had taken more than 3.3 million yuan in cash from students’ meal fees over two years under the pretext of collecting “management fees,” some of which was even directly transferred to designated personal accounts, sparking public attention.
According to a report by the Xinjing News, Ma Rui, the head of Henan Dexin Catering Management Co., reported to the Commission for Discipline Inspection of Huaiyang District, Zhoukou City on December 24th. The head of logistics at Huaiyang Middle School (Huaiyang School Junior High Department) had, under the leadership’s instructions, taken a 15% kickback from all meal fees paid by students between September 2022 and July 2024, totaling over 3.3 million yuan.
Ma Rui explained that in September 2021, her company signed a 3-year contract with Huaiyang Middle School to operate the canteen for the junior high department. During this period, their company was required to pay 4.5% of the turnover to the school annually as a management fee.
In the first year, the school deducted 4.5% of the management fee from the students’ meal fees and transferred the remaining amount to her. However, in September of the second year, after the new school year started, she received a notification from the school leadership that the management fee would increase to 15%. Ma Rui stated that they were forced to comply, as the school’s attitude was firm, and as a service enterprise with substantial upfront costs, they had no choice but to accept the threefold increase in fees beyond the contract terms.
Subsequently, the logistics director, Shi, stationed at the junior high department of Huaiyang Middle School, handed over the calculated meal fees to her. She would then withdraw the cash, return 15% of it to Shi, and deposit the rest directly into the personal account of another man brought by Shi on three separate occasions.
The news of this incident has sparked public outrage online. Many netizens commented, “Is the 3.3 million subsidy for the school’s expenses or for personal gain? The difference is clear! Regardless, this money was squeezed out of the mouths of students, causing great indignation.” “You might not believe it, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.” “Investigate from elementary to university; how many do not have internal connections or kickbacks?” “Even the school’s tuck shops can fetch millions in bids.” “Corruption is rife in the education system.”
“This act is not just a minor offense of financial corruption, it is a major case of infringing upon students’ dietary health.” “It’s not an isolated incident; it’s like a magnifying glass, where school leaders taking profits can harm children; for example, the quality of food may decline, and food supervision may be nominal. With low birth rates in society, how can we encourage people to have children when these incidents are frequently exposed?” “Even encouraging childbirth, having my own children to create profits for you, I must be naive.” “Sometimes, principals are nothing but figureheads.”
On December 25th, the head of Huaiyang Middle School responded, stating that since September 2022, the school has abolished the “management fee” and no longer charges any fees. The 15% kickback taken by school staff from the meal fees was deemed illegal, and according to his knowledge, this money was used to give allowances to teachers.
On December 26th, the Huaiyang District government announced on its official website that a joint investigation team has been formed to look into the matter.