"Circumventing the law" by requiring students to write an application to join a club so they can return to school early

The Ministry of Education and Training requires public kindergartens and primary schools to organize the school opening one week before the start of the new school year, on August 29; grade 1 can start two weeks earlier, on August 22. Semester I will end before January 18, 2025; semester II before May 31, 2025.

However, in early August, many educational institutions welcomed students back to school, causing mixed opinions. Some people wanted their children to have a full summer vacation, so they protested against the school's "circumvention of the law" by requiring parents to voluntarily apply for their children to join summer clubs.

Ms. HK, whose child is in 7th grade in Thanh Xuan district (Hanoi), said that the school year was scheduled to start at the end of August, but at the beginning of August, the teacher announced that the child would return to class to "participate in a summer club". However, the time for the child to return to school was exactly the same as an official school day, so even though she did not want to, she had to let her child go to school.

"I think children need a full summer to rest and balance their emotions before starting the new school year. Learning is a lifelong process, so why cram it into the summer months? The school asked us to write a voluntary application for our children to join the summer club to consolidate their knowledge before the new school year, but in fact it is extra learning. Parents also have to commit to paying the costs of participating in the summer at school," Ms. HK said.

In the same situation, some other parents whose children study in Nam Tu Liem district (Hanoi) said that since the beginning of August, they have had to send their children to school under the name of consolidating knowledge, but it is no different from formal education.

"My child starts school at 7:45 a.m. and finishes school at 5 p.m. The teacher assigns a lot of homework. Compared to the schedule of the Ministry of Education and Training, it is unreasonable for the children to go to school nearly a month early. I don't want my child to go to school early, but I'm worried that the teacher will teach new knowledge, and later on my child won't be able to keep up with his friends at school," said Ms. Nguyen Thuy Huong.

Not only public schools but also many non-public schools in Hanoi let students return to school early. Since the beginning of August, many schools have officially started studying.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Principal of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that organizing students to return to school early is often because many educational institutions want students to be best prepared for the new school year. Others come from the needs of parents.

In fact, for first-grade students, going to school early is a way to get used to the new environment, be introduced to the program, disseminate school rules, and prepare for activities before entering the official school year. For most other levels, this helps children return to the learning routine.

“During the summer break, some children play freely at home, while others are given a busy schedule by their parents. Therefore, returning to school early can help them “restart”. For children who are used to “playing freely” during the summer, returning to school helps them get used to the learning environment and routine. As for students with a busy summer schedule, participating in school clubs before officially going to school may be the time for them to relax, balance their mental health, and reduce stress”, shared GPS.TS Tran Thanh Nam.

According to Mr. Nam, parents should set appropriate goals, determining that their children's early return to school should only focus on cultivating discipline and getting used to ways of interacting instead of studying the program in advance or taking extra classes.

According to Master Le Thi Loan, former Deputy Head of the Faculty of Education (Academy of Educational Management), the Ministry announced the time frame for the school year plan based on the goals achieved by each age group and program at each level of education, so we need to comply.

“Some schools may call students earlier because they want them to get used to the learning routine in preparation for the new school year. This only needs to be about a week earlier than the start of the school year to be reasonable. Bringing students to school from the beginning of August may be a “tacit” agreement between parents and the school and is legalized by a voluntary application to join the summer club.

I think parents should not be pressured. If the family has a plan for their children to practice life skills, review old knowledge... then feel free to let them stay at home. Parents should not think that their children do not study in the summer, cannot keep up with their friends. I am sure that no school will teach the program in advance during this time but must follow the schedule of the Ministry of Education and Training", Ms. Loan stated her opinion.