HCMC: Flowers from the opening ceremony turned into support for flood victims and disadvantaged students

Not just a school festival, the Opening Ceremony at schools in Ho Chi Minh City this year aims to spread the spirit of sharing, calling for congratulatory flowers to be converted into support for flood victims or students in need.

According to the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, after merging the three old provinces (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong Province and Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province), in the 2025-2026 school year, Ho Chi Minh City will become the locality with the largest number of students in the country with about 2.6 million students (previously nearly 1.7 million), from preschool to high school. The scale of schools has also increased to more than 3,500 educational establishments, with over 100,000 administrators and teachers.

Currently, schools in the area have completed preparations for the special Opening Ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year. The program is organized simultaneously in the form of live broadcast at the National Convention Center and online via VTV1 television, connecting to all educational institutions. Schools have equipped broadcasting equipment and audio-visual systems for students, teachers and parents to watch together.

Teachers at Tan Phong Kindergarten (Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) prepare teaching materials for the new school year.

At Tan Phong Kindergarten (Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), Principal Pham Bao Hanh said: This school year, the school has 580 students, divided into 20 classes. Preparations for the new school year have been completed, ready to welcome students to class. Previously, the school sent teachers to attend professional training courses, providing professional support for teachers before the new school year. At the same time, the school has promoted training for teachers in applying digital transformation, helping them use technology effectively in drafting documents, building educational plans and teaching activities.

On September 3-4, the school cleaned the entire campus, creating a clean, airy space for children to come to school in a joyful and exciting atmosphere. In addition, teachers also actively decorated the classrooms and prepared clips introducing the classroom corners so that parents could visualize their children's learning space.

"Regarding the opening day program, from 7:15 to 8:00, the school will organize a festival with folk games guided by teachers, creating opportunities for children to have fun, get to know friends and the learning environment. Next, on the small stage, the children will participate in artistic performances, introducing the homeroom teacher of each class. From 8:00 to 9:30 on September 5, students in the lower grades will return to their classrooms to get acquainted, and at the same time, with their parents and teachers, watch the online opening ceremony program organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, on the classroom TV. Students in the Leaf grade will focus on watching the online program in the Hall with the Board of Directors and parents," said Ms. Hanh.

A notable point in this year's opening season is that many schools in Ho Chi Minh City have posted open letters on their Facebook pages asking not to accept flowers to celebrate the opening of the new school year, and instead to convert them into scholarships, gifts, and school buildings for students.

As on the Facebook page of Phan Van Tri Primary School (Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), an open letter was also posted with the content: The school would like to not accept congratulatory flowers for the opening ceremony. Instead, we hope that parents and organizations will convert them into teaching materials, books, children's books - life skills suitable for primary school age, and vouchers to buy books/tools to support students.

Phan Van Tri Primary School (Cau Ong Lanh Ward, HCMC) also posted an open letter asking not to accept flowers to congratulate the Opening Ceremony.

Similarly, the Board of Directors of Khai Minh Primary School (Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) also informed that the opening ceremony will be simple and practical. The school will not accept flowers for the opening ceremony. Instead, you can donate to the scholarship fund so that the school can take care of students in difficult circumstances.

The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has just sent a document to departments, branches, sectors, organizations; People's Committees of wards, communes, special zones; units, educational institutions and organizations, enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City about not accepting congratulatory flowers in any form from agencies, unions, enterprises, parents and individuals attending and congratulating the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year.

Schools in Ho Chi Minh City are ready for the opening ceremony of the new school year.

The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City requested educational institutions in the city to launch a campaign to support flood victims, guide and encourage units and individuals to convert congratulatory forms into donations and practical contributions to the school's scholarship fund or join hands to support people facing difficulties due to natural disasters and floods according to the general call of the industry.

In addition to aiming to organize a short and solemn opening ceremony and spreading the spirit of sharing through many humanitarian activities, this school year, Ho Chi Minh City continues to promote the implementation of 2-session teaching/day, applying digital technology and comprehensive care for the young generation.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/tphcm-hoa-trong-le-khai-giang-chuyen-thanh-ho-tro-dong-bao-bao-lut-hoc-sinh-kho-khan-20250904131547615.htm