Specialized schools, safety nets and the opportunity to see children grow up through the days of exams

When my child wanted to take the entrance exam to a specialized school, I was very supportive. I always gave him a "safety net" so that if his dream did not come true, he would have a way back...

Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Minh believes that nowadays, the story of specialized schools is still very hot. (Photo: NVCC)

I was a gifted student, a “fighting cock” throughout my high school years. I am so grateful that I was once a gifted student.

Having studied Literature since grade 7, I did not have to repeat the lessons in the textbooks. We were allowed to read widely and were not forced to. I had the habit of going to the library almost every week and reading everything that I was curious about, beyond the purpose of exams.

We were not required to memorize sample essays. I had never heard of sample essays, but I still got high marks because I had a unique way of thinking and writing.

I also did not feel any pressure when taking the exam. In my family, my parents did not give me any special care even when I took the most important exams. I am really grateful to the teachers at the specialized school.

Specialized schools are still "hot"

Nowadays, the nature of examinations and specialized schools may have changed. What has made specialized schools no longer the only choice? Is it because of the transformation of specialized schools as well as the diversification of school types? Or is it because of the upgrading of public schools in terms of both facilities and quality in recent years, especially the participation of private schools and international schools in the education system?

"Failing an exam, if viewed broadly, can hardly be called a failure. If viewed in the broader journey of a person's life, it is simply a lesson."

But specialized schools are still very "hot". The stories of studying or not studying, training in the furnace, passing and failing are still current news, behind it are many "joys, angers, loves and hates" of parents, students and teachers.

As a mother, when my child wanted to take the specialized exam, I was very supportive, although there were times when he doubted his ability, and there were times when he was discouraged and lazy. But pursuing a subject that he liked, with good teachers, good friends, and countless challenging exercises that were beyond his ability, gave him some qualities such as perseverance, overcoming difficulties, and effort.

Coming home from school, I often see my child excitedly talking about his teachers and friends. What he learned while preparing for the exam helps him gain a vision beyond the classroom. But I also know that the door to a specialized school is very narrow. So I prepare a suitable school for my child, within his ability. I let him freely pursue his dreams...

Always give your child a safe "net"

I always give my children a safety net so that if their dreams don't come true, they have a way back to see that life never has only one path. They are free to dream, but they also have the right to fail.

The right to fail is perhaps also an important right of children. With an incomplete body and mind, still growing every day, with limited experiences, our children have the right to stumble and fail, the right to be imperfect, not perfect.

I think life is interesting because we are never perfect, because there is always something calling us forward, because there is always something for us to learn and try.

Moreover, failing an exam, in the grand scheme of things, can hardly be called a failure. In the grand scheme of life, it is simply a lesson.

So the question is not where you went wrong and where you failed, where you lacked effort, but how you feel and what you learn from this experience. It can be a “push” to create inner strength and courage, or it can be a cruel blow to extinguish all faith and hope, depending on how we respond to it.

In that wide corridor between the most unrealistic dream and the most secure net, my whole family had a happy “trip” through all the exams. My child took the bus to the exam without being picked up and made many new friends on the way as well as in the exam room.

I managed to find my way home when I forgot my papers and lacked school supplies. I found my way home and excitedly told about what happened when I went around by all means of transport from motorbike taxis to buses to get home, meeting all kinds of people from an old Grab driver to a kind Polytechnic student Grab driver.

I have had some successes and also tasted the bitterness of failure. I discovered my inner strength when I won very difficult exams. I happily congratulated my best friend on his victory, while I failed the exam myself.

And he was also proud of himself for having had some unexpected victories. He felt more and more confident in himself. We eagerly awaited every time he came home from the exam room like watching an action movie where he was the hero embarking on one adventure after another.

There is no resentment or jealousy when others are better than you, no pressure to win, no unusual care and attention…

I grew up through a series of exams.

We felt like we were playing a big reality game where every minute was a valuable experience. And I had the opportunity to see my child grow up, become more confident, and become more courageous through the days of exams. Life does not have a single path.

Look at your own life and the lives of those around you. Is there anyone who is perfect, absolutely happy or successful? Don’t we all live an imperfect life, always with flaws, always with regrets and torments, always with stumbles and wrong decisions?

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