Early school start for grades 1, 9, 12: A solid stepping stone for the new school year

*Students of Dai Thinh A Primary School (Quang Minh commune). Photo: Thai Thanh*

The 2025-2026 school year marks a significant change as students in grades 1, 9, and 12 will start school two weeks early, before the official opening day.

This policy not only helps students at the beginning of the school year to get acquainted with the new learning environment, but also serves as a solid foundation for students in their final year to get started early and reduce pressure before the entrance exam.

Grade 1: Two weeks of getting acquainted and establishing routines.

In previous years, first-grade students were the only ones to start school earlier than other grades to familiarize themselves with the new learning environment. This year, the Ministry of Education and Training continues this practice. This decision has received strong support and approval from schools, teachers, and parents.

*First-grade students have two weeks to get acquainted and establish routines before the start of the new school year. Photo: Thai Thanh*

At Van Yen Primary School (Ha Dong ward), preparations for the early start of the school year are being carried out urgently. Ms. Phuong Thi Thin, the school principal, said: “We have created a separate timetable for the two weeks before the opening ceremony, prioritizing activities that help children get acquainted with the school, teachers, and learning routines. This is a very important stage for the children to transition smoothly from preschool to primary school.”

During the first two weeks, first-grade students will be guided on how to hold a pen, proper sitting posture, how to use books and notebooks, prepare school supplies, and become familiar with the timetable and classroom rules. This helps them avoid feeling overwhelmed and prepare for the official school program after the opening day.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai (Mo Lao ward), a parent whose child is preparing to enter first grade, shared: “I strongly support the policy of having first-grade students start school early. My child is quite shy, so if she can go to school early and get acquainted with teachers and friends beforehand, she will be much more confident when she officially starts school.”

Organizing separate preparatory sessions for first-grade students before the start of the school year also gives teachers enough time to observe and understand the students' psychology, thereby adjusting their teaching methods accordingly. If first-grade students were to start school with other grades, teachers would have to immediately begin teaching according to the curriculum, leaving insufficient time to help students adapt.

Grades 9 and 12: Start early, reduce pressure from entrance exams.

A new development that is attracting particular public attention is the Ministry of Education and Training's decision to allow 9th and 12th grade students to return to school two weeks before the official opening ceremony. This is the first time this regulation has been applied to the final grades of secondary education.

*Ninth and twelfth graders get an early start, reducing the pressure of entrance exams. Photo: Le Nguyen*

According to Decision No. 2269/QD-BGDĐT dated August 11, 2025, of the Ministry of Education and Training, 9th and 12th grade students are allowed to come to school early to better prepare for entrance and graduation exams – exams that are increasingly competitive and stressful.

In particular, the 2026 high school graduation exam is expected to take place about two weeks earlier than the previous year, specifically on June 11th and 12th, 2026. This necessitates adjustments to the entire 2025-2026 school year schedule.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a 9th-grade literature teacher at a junior high school in O Cho Dua ward, commented: “9th-grade students not only have to study the 9th-grade curriculum but also prepare for graduation and review for the 10th-grade entrance exam in the 2026-2027 school year. The two-week buffer period before the start of the school year will help students get used to the learning rhythm again, review summer knowledge, and reduce pressure when entering the official learning phase.”

Nguyen Minh Khoa, a parent of a student at Trung Vuong Junior High School (Cua Nam Ward), shared: “My child is very happy that the 9th grade is starting school early this year. The first two weeks will be a golden time for my child and their classmates to restart their studies after the summer break. The 9th grade is a crucial year, as students have to take the entrance exam for 10th grade. Therefore, being able to see their teachers again early, review old knowledge, and have clear guidance on studying the subjects for the entrance exam will help students reduce pressure. My family hopes the school will provide information about the 10th grade entrance exam soon so that students can have a clear study plan from the beginning of the year.”

Similarly, at the high school level, giving 12th-grade students an early start is also a necessary solution. Tran Khanh Linh, a student at Hoang Van Thu High School, expressed: "12th grade is a very stressful year because we have to study all subjects while also preparing for the graduation exam and participating in university entrance exams."

"I think starting school two weeks earlier than the official opening day is reasonable. This timeframe will help me get acquainted with the curriculum, review basic knowledge, and clearly identify the subjects for university entrance exams so I can focus on them early. Moreover, if the graduation exam is earlier next year, starting early will also help teachers plan review sessions effectively, avoiding a last-minute rush at the end of the year," said Tran Khanh Linh.

According to some school administrators, if unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or epidemics occur, schools will find it very difficult to ensure sufficient time for exam preparation and completion of the curriculum before the graduation exam. Therefore, an early start to the school year for 12th-grade students is reasonable and necessary.

Having students start school two weeks early also helps them get a thorough and comprehensive warm-up, ready to catch up with learning right after the official start date.

According to Hanoimoi.vn

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202508/tuu-truong-som-with-grade-1-9-12-steps-to-build-solid-for-the-new-school-year-5077c89/