Certificates of merit for giving up seats cause… concern

Recently, Ho Chi Minh City National University held a ceremony to award certificates of merit to 6 students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for their good deed of inviting veterans in the case of some students who behaved disrespectfully to watch the parade on the occasion of April 30.

In this context, the students' beautiful actions somehow resolved the conflict and solved the problem of the unfortunate incident at that time. This action became more and more touching, shared and spread continuously.

But the university's awarding of certificates of merit to a group of students with this beautiful act has drawn many opposing opinions and concerns.

Many people believe that giving up seats to the elderly is a lesson that children learn in kindergarten and primary school. In the context of the April 30th celebration, veterans are people who need to be respected, so it is normal for students to give up seats to veterans.

This action, if it needs to be praised, can be praised verbally in the classroom. As for giving a certificate of merit, it unintentionally shows the act of giving up one's seat to the elderly, a basic cultural behavior that has become rare, has become... unique.

Writer Tran Nha Thuy expressed his opinion that the students' good actions in this incident are commendable. But the praise, if any, should only be given in class and at school. Giving a certificate of merit for this action seems to be... going too far.

Mr. Thuy also reviewed the reward regulations of Ho Chi Minh City National University and saw that the reward content is mainly for students with excellent achievements in studying, in exams, and in research projects... Special cases will be considered and proposed for rewards.

Mr. Thuy does not think that giving up one's seat to veterans is a special case. He also wonders, if giving up one's seat to veterans is awarded a certificate of merit, then is giving up one's seat to the elderly or disabled on buses or in public places also commendable?

"Compassion and kindness are always precious. Even students who give up their seats never think they will receive a certificate of merit. Therefore, such praise does more harm than good," the writer expressed.

Ms. Nguyen Minh Ha, a lecturer at a university in Ho Chi Minh City, said she was also surprised when the student who gave up his seat to a veteran was awarded a certificate of merit by the university.

For her, giving up her seat to the elderly is a beautiful and commendable act, but it must also be recognized as a common thing in life.

Queuing up and giving up seats to the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women, children, etc. are basic behavioral behaviors that every child who has beeneducated knows well. However, awarding certificates of merit and showing pride to students for this action turns normal actions and basic behavioral behaviors into… unusual ones.

Ms. Ha said that if this action is praised, it should only be praised within the class, with words of encouragement, or if possible, the school can write a letter of thanks and encouragement to the children.

These certificates of merit are like the worries and pain of Ms. Le Ngoc Dung, a retired teacher in Ho Chi Minh City, before the compliments and praise for the student's act of bowing to the security guard.

A few years ago, the image of students from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City, bowing to the security guard at the school gate caused a stir in the online community and was continuously shared and praised.

It cannot be denied that this is a beautiful image that needs to be spread, but Ms. Dung also feels that such polite behavior between a student and an elderly person on duty as a school security guard is obvious and normal, but it has become rare, a "special case" that is praised and proud of.

From the praises and certificates of merit for normal and obvious good deeds in life, is it time for us to review the education of etiquette, morality, and cultural behavior? What level of education and behavior are etiquette at that now normal things have become so unusual that certificates of merit are awarded?

As a teacher worries, this is like a "slap" to the foundation of social moral education. It makes the things that should be done and must be done by the young generation become special, easily causing them to have a distorted understanding of the values ​​that need to be cultivated...

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nhung-chiec-bang-khen-vi-nhuong-cho-gay-tam-tu-20250508092034800.htm