Another exam... outside the school gate

VHO - As thousands of students entered the entrance exam for 10th grade in Hanoi's public schools, outside the school gates, parents waited anxiously and nervously.

Some parents wake up at 3 a.m. to take their children dozens of kilometers to the exam site, others rent rooms near the exam location so their children can rest comfortably, some carefully guard their children's phones, and others prepare cheering signs for the end of the exam... Although they are not directly taking the exam, through their companionship and silent concerns, they are also participating in another "exam" outside the school gates.

Mr. Huu Thanh holds a sign cheering on his daughter in front of Tran Duy Hung Secondary School.

At the exam site at Tran Duy Hung Secondary School, Mr. Bui Duc Tinh, residing in Kim Anh commune, Hanoi , arrived very early with his son, Bui Manh Cuong. Their home is about 40km from the exam site, so he woke up at 3 a.m. to prepare breakfast for his son, and the two of them set off before dawn.

Fearing that the long journey might lead to traffic jams or unforeseen incidents, he decided to leave as early as possible. While his child was taking the exam, Mr. Tinh busied himself finding accommodation so his child could rest during the midday and evening of May 30th, saving energy for all three exam sessions.

Sharing with Văn Hóa magazine about his son, Mr. Tính couldn't hide his pride. He said that Cường is a good student, very conscientious, and always strives in his studies. As for Bùi Mạnh Cường, his father is the best person ever, working hard year-round to provide for the family, but when it comes to his son's entrance exam for 10th grade, "nothing is more important than taking him to the exam."

Cuong said that he dreamed of getting into a specialized high school and considered it a meaningful gift for his father. Amidst the bustling atmosphere before the exam, the story of the father and son touched many people. It was not just a journey to conquer an exam, but also a story about the belief and silent sacrifice of a father.

Also at the exam center at Tran Duy Hung Secondary School, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoan, residing in Me Linh, Hanoi, said that because their home was far away, she and her daughter had rented a room near the exam center since the afternoon of May 29th to make commuting easier. Her daughter, Hoang Ngoc Diep, was eligible for direct admission to the specialized Literature class at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students, but because she loved Chemistry, she still registered to take the exam for the specialized Chemistry class at the same school.

According to Ms. Ngoan, the family hopes their child will achieve good results in their first choice of university but is not putting pressure on them regarding scores. What she hopes for most is that her child enters the exam room with a relaxed mindset, performs to the best of their ability, and maintains good health during the exam days.

At the same exam location, Mr. Huu Thanh waited for his daughter after the exam with a sign of encouragement in his hand. Amidst the anxious crowd outside the school gate, that image created a rare cheerful atmosphere. He said the sign had been prepared beforehand as a word of encouragement for his daughter. "She's gone in, and her parents outside are just as nervous," he said. What he hoped was that when she came out of the exam room, she would be greeted with smiles from her family and feel less pressure.

It wasn't just Mr. Thanh; many other parents were anxiously waiting outside the school gate. Some huddled under trees to avoid the sun, while others took the opportunity to ask each other about the exam schedule, directions, or previous years' cutoff scores. Some tried to appear calm, but their eyes were still fixed on the inside of the school. The final minutes of the exam seemed to drag on for those waiting outside the gate.

At the exam center at Ngo Sy Lien Secondary School, Cua Nam ward, Ms. Pham Thu Huong shared that on the morning of May 30th, the whole family woke up early to prepare all the necessary exam notification papers, citizen identification cards, and other items for her child. Before entering the exam room, she repeatedly reminded her child to read the questions carefully, answer meticulously, and remain calm.

To avoid unnecessary mishaps, Ms. Huong held her child's phone for them right from home. According to her, in the rush to the exam site, both parents and students can forget small details, and phones are absolutely not allowed in the exam room. For her, being a little more careful is better than having an unexpected incident happen.

At the exam center at Tran Phu High School, Ms. Ha, residing in Gia Thuy ward, said that although she always tried to remain calm in front of her child, she couldn't help but feel nervous. According to her, during the exam days, the family's biggest concern is helping their child maintain a relaxed mindset. She doesn't put pressure on her child regarding scores, only hoping that her child eats, rests properly, and enters the exam room with confidence.

Also at Tran Phu High School, Mr. Trong (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) brought his grandson to the exam site with a fairly relaxed attitude. He said that his grandson had prepared seriously for a long time, so now he just needed to maintain confidence and calmness while taking the exam. According to him, the exam is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have accumulated after many years of studying. The result, whatever it may be, is only one stage on the journey ahead, because the students still have many paths to choose from.

The bell signaling the end of the exam rang, the school gates opened, and students' faces emerged one after another after hours of tension. Amidst the crowd, parents quickly recognized their children with just a glance.

Some parents hastily asked, "How did you do on the exam, child?", others immediately offered a bottle of water they had prepared, and some fanned their children with a paper fan to keep them cool in the sweltering early summer heat. The exam will eventually end, the results will be announced, but the image of these fathers and mothers silently standing outside the school gates, watching their children's every step, will likely remain in the memories of many for much longer.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/doi-song/mot-ky-thi-khac-ben-ngoai-cong-truong-233239.html