Students who give up their seats to veterans can be commended instead of given certificates.

bằng khen - Ảnh 1. — Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City National University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities took souvenir photos with students who were awarded certificates of merit by the director of Ho Chi Minh City National University - Photo: VNUHCM

After the director of Ho Chi Minh City National University awarded certificates of merit to six first-year students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for their good deed of giving up their seats to veterans at the April 30 celebration, many experts spoke out about this.

Awarding certificates of merit to students to continue spreading humanitarian actions

According to Master Tran Nam - Head of Student Affairs Department of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, on the evening of April 29, the group of students had a good behavior when supporting veterans in a situation where conflicts arose among the crowd in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, where activities to celebrate the April 30th holiday took place.

"Your actions not only helped ease the tension at that moment, but also demonstrated the spirit of remembering the source of water, respecting previous generations, and expressing gratitude to those who have contributed to the country.

Immediately after learning this information, the director of Ho Chi Minh City National University decided to award certificates of merit to the students," Mr. Nam added.

Speaking at the ceremony to present certificates of merit to the students, Dr. Phan Thanh Dinh - Vice Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - emphasized: "The awarding of certificates of merit by the director of Ho Chi Minh City National University to the students is a meaningful reward, encouraging students of the school and Ho Chi Minh City National University to continue to spread humane and compassionate actions to the community and society."

Over-rewarding dilutes the value of the reward.

Meanwhile, according to Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh - former head of the Department of Vocational Education ( Ministry of Education and Training ), the fact that Ho Chi Minh City National University awarded certificates of merit to 6 students for giving up their seats to veterans on the occasion of April 30 has sparked debate about how to recognize ethical behavior.

Although it comes from goodwill, this unintentionally turns an action that is considered a basic standard into something "unusual", causing many people to wonder: Is a certificate of merit - usually reserved for outstanding achievements - an appropriate form of praise?

In a social context, kindness is very valuable, but if it is overemphasized, it inadvertently reflects a thoughtful reality: when kindness becomes rare, people easily use rewards to "compensate" instead of encouraging kindness as a natural human trait.

This approach may surprise the students - who are being praised - because giving up their seats to them is a natural reflex for most students.

"When rewarding these 6 students, Ho Chi Minh City National University certainly wanted to show a contrasting picture with a few students who behaved badly towards two veterans.

But instead of giving certificates of merit, the school can choose a gentle form of praise (such as adding training points) to both acknowledge and maintain the meaning of kindness.

This shows that sometimes excessive rewards not only dilute the value of the reward but also cause good deeds to be misunderstood as "different", while it should be normal in a civilized society," Mr. Vinh commented.

More meaningful ways to commend than giving certificates

MSc. Nguyen Hai Truong An, deputy head of student affairs at Ho Chi Minh City University of Management and Technology, said she does not object to recognizing students' good deeds.

Especially in recent times, the young people's showing respect for the elderly, especially war veterans, is truly admirable.

"However, to be honest, I am a bit hesitant about awarding certificates of merit. Because actions such as giving up seats, being polite, respecting elders, etc. are basic things in daily behavior. That is culture, not achievement.

If we keep making things that should be done as "special things that deserve great rewards", over time people will misunderstand the nature of living a good life. In this case, I think we should still praise the students, but it could be a thank you, a small meeting during the seminar to spread that spirit.

Doing so will preserve the original meaning - both acknowledging and gently instilling in young people the feeling: 'Living beautifully is natural - not to be rewarded'. We need people who live truly kindly, not to be praised for being kind," Ms. Truong An shared.

Similarly, MSc. Pham Thai Son - Director of the Admissions and Communications Center, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade - also commented that the act of students giving up their seats to veterans is a small but meaningful gesture.

This action not only shows respect for those who have contributed to the country but also spreads the spirit of humanity and gratitude among the young generation.

"Praise is a meaningful reward, encouraging students to continue to perform charitable acts, contributing to building a better society. But giving a certificate of merit is probably a bit too 'noble'. A compliment from the principal is probably enough.

In my opinion, in this case, the school should invite students to participate in that day to share their stories in a discussion about life values or moraleducation for young people. This will help spread good deeds and encourage other young people," said Mr. Son.

bằng khen - Ảnh 2. — Certificate of merit from the director of Ho Chi Minh City National University given to students

Don't "turn around" the reward

Journalist Pham Hong Phuoc - former deputy editor-in-chief of eChip magazine - said that with the "good but normal" actions of the 6 students, just being praised in class and getting good moral points would be enough.

"The students clearly did a good job, and how they were rewarded is not their fault. Maybe the school 'overdid it' and made them 'choke'. And maybe now some of them don't dare to look at that certificate of merit anymore.

I think the school may have wanted to create a 'counterpoint' to the 'ugly actions' of other students who were obstructed from view during the parade. But it seems like there is a confusion between the reward and the way to reward students with good deeds that are worthy of being an example to the community.

The school did the right thing, and doing the right thing is of course commendable. The timely recognition and reward of students who do well. The only problem people are concerned about is the way of rewarding," said Mr. Phuoc.

Currently, there are many opinions "suggesting that students should proactively return their certificates of merit" but according to Mr. Phuoc, students with such good deeds deserve to be rewarded. So there can be no "turning around" the reward.

Even if the reward is "abnormal" (compared to normal), it is still "normal" in the midst of "abnormal" things being made "normal".

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TRAN HUYNH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-the-tuyen-duong-sinh-vien-nhuong-cho-ngoi-cho-cuu-chien-binh-thay-vi-tang-bang-khen-20250508155808819.htm