When asked: 'Is it fun to go to school?', primary and secondary school students stood up to answer. One student said: 'I go to school to see my friends', another said: 'I go to school to play with my friends'...
STUDY TO PLAY
At the beginning of this school year, I participated in a series of motivational programs for students in Quang Tri province. The program was for 3 groups of students from elementary to high school. For all 3 groups, I often asked different questions to suit their understanding.
Author, writer Tran Tra My ( standing in front ) with the principal and students of Dong Ha High School (Quang Tri)
In the younger age groups such as primary and secondary schools, I often ask the question: "Is it fun for you to go to school?" and the children sitting below compete to stand up and answer. One child said: "Yes, I go to school to see my friends." Another child said: "Yes, I go to school to play with my friends." So the children all answered the same thing: they go to school to play!
After leading into that question, I began to state the reason for asking the question and tell about my life journey related to the story of when I was young, I did not go to high school like you so I would not be able to know if going to school was fun? So today I came here to ask you.
However, at that moment, I suddenly stopped when I heard the students' answers. Because the nature of children is that playing and meeting friends of the same age is a joy and also a form of learning. Because children do not need to care about scores, achievements, or certificates hanging all over the house. Because in the world of children, just showing off a nice set of clothes, a new set of toys, or a good comic book is already a sky full of happiness.
When I got to the high school group, I asked: "What do you think we go to school for?". The hands in the audience began to thin out. Most of them said they studied to become this or that person in the future, to gain knowledge, and some even said they studied to escape poverty. Only a few of them realized that they studied to become good people and to do something for their country.
Most of us, since childhood, have been taught by our families and teachers that we must study well and get good grades, must get a good degree, so that when we graduate, we can have a good job, high income and many opportunities for career advancement. These answers from students are all correct but seem to be insufficient for a comprehensive education, especially to enhance the beauty of the soul.
WISHING FOR HAPPY SCHOOLS
I always wonder how many schools in Vietnam follow the model of a truly happy school, schools where teachers don't need to teach extra classes, students don't need to study extra classes and compete with each other for grades? And if we were to conduct a survey to see if students feel happy when they go to school, what percentage would tick the box for happiness?...
When leaving a primary and secondary school in Hai Tan commune, Hai Lang district - considered the "umbilical cord" of the flood-hit area of Quang Tri province, I sent a text message to the principal: "Brother, try to build a happy learning environment for the children. There is no need to compete for achievements."
On the way back, the sky was drizzling with rain, making me think more about the children and the school that was always submerged in rain and floods. I just hope that the teachers there create a happy learning environment, and the children will definitely grow up to be good people.
Similarly, after the exchange session at Dong Ha High School, I texted the principal to ask if the school still disciplined naughty students every Monday morning. Fortunately, the school has changed its regulations. Such students will be met privately by teachers to talk, give them books, and ask about their feelings, instead of being invited to the flagpole to announce their names in front of the whole school like in the past.
When I went to Huong Hoa, I met the vice principal of a high school in the district. The principal said that he was planning a special model for students who do not study seriously and often violate school regulations. Every month, the school will make a list and rent a car to take them to the Quang Tri Citadel cemetery, where many letters written by soldiers before leaving and sacrificing themselves for the Fatherland are kept. The school hopes that when reading these letters, students will feel more grateful and love the life they have.
I also always believe that Vietnamese education is and will have more positive highlights so that children will be less compared and those who are naughty will receive more "subtle punishments".
Education is a contribution to help people live happily. This is an important principle in the journey of every person.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/di-hoc-co-gi-vui-khong-185241211180050353.htm
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