Next week, students in Ho Chi Minh City will begin their 16-day Lunar New Year holiday in 2024. During this time, in most previous years, teachers assigned homework and academic tasks to students with the aim of ensuring they "had fun but didn't forget their responsibilities." However, this year, many schools and teachers have changed this "habit."
The festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is already spreading throughout the schools.
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO LEARN ACTIVELY
Thousands of students at Tay Thanh High School (Tan Phu District) are excited and delighted that they won't have to worry about completing homework during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, unlike in previous years. It is known that as early as January 18th, the school announced that no homework would be assigned during the holiday period, aiming to "create conditions for students to have a meaningful Lunar New Year holiday, giving them the opportunity to experience and learn about the beautiful traditional customs of the nation during the holiday, enjoying family reunions, fun activities, and relaxing." The school requested teachers to strictly adhere to the above announcement so that students can fully enjoy the traditional Tet holiday with their families. After this period, teachers will plan to provide students with sufficient additional knowledge.
"Let's 'throw away' those thick stacks of study guides and dozens or hundreds of stressful assignments, and instead enter the traditional Lunar New Year holiday with a relaxed and joyful mindset" is the policy of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1) to create a happy holiday for students. However, the school's leadership also stated that teachers of all subjects are updating all lectures and study guides on the school's online learning system. Students can proactively self-study at their own pace, whenever they feel like it, or use it to start the new year with writing, creating motivation and setting learning goals for the new year.
This year, many schools have decided not to assign homework during the Lunar New Year holiday, allowing students to fully enjoy the festive days with their families.
Similarly, Dao Son Tay High School (Thu Duc City) also proactively decided not to assign homework to students during this holiday. Ms. Hoang Thi Hao, the school's principal, said that the new general education program empowers students to take initiative in their learning, allowing them to independently grasp knowledge and practice. In each lesson, teachers assign in-class exercises while encouraging and developing self-study skills. In this spirit, the school and teachers aim to educate students on proactive learning and a sense of responsibility, rather than forcing or putting pressure on them during the Tet holiday.
The administration of Huynh Khuong Ninh Secondary School (District 1) also emphasized the spirit of "a joyful and healthy Tet holiday, creating motivation for the new year" to teachers, students, and parents. Mr. Cao Duc Khoa, the school principal, said that teachers have been instructed not to put pressure on students with homework but to allow them time for enjoyment. This is especially important for graduating students, as they will be preparing for the 10th grade entrance exam immediately after the Lunar New Year. However, according to Mr. Khoa, the school also calls on parents to understand their children's psychology and work with teachers and the school to create the most joyful and comfortable atmosphere for them.
ALLOW TIME FOR STUDENTS TO REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES
Teacher Le Minh Huy, from the math department at Nguyen Hien High School (District 11), also stated that they do not force, assign homework, or require students to complete assignments during the Tet holiday.
Why do we have to assign homework during Tet (Lunar New Year) and should we abandon the idea that long holidays necessitate homework to prevent students from forgetting what they've learned? This is the view shared by many school leaders and teachers with Thanh Nien newspaper reporters.
Request not to assign homework during Tet holiday.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1), frankly stated: "If every subject has a syllabus and assignments, what's left for students to enjoy their Tet holiday? Students with a strong work ethic will be constantly worried about completing their assignments; conversely, those with less motivation will simply give up. So, what's the point of assigning homework? It's all ineffective."
"Not to mention, the stress and exhaustion from studying during the Tet holiday will make students feel discouraged when the holiday ends and they return to school," Mr. Phu emphasized.
Exercise "Listening to Happiness"
Homework shouldn't be assigned during Tet (Lunar New Year), unless it's something like "Listening to Happiness" or "Reflecting to Love Your Family."
The Lunar New Year holiday is a time and opportunity for children to stay at home, which also gives parents time to listen to their children's thoughts and feelings, so that together with teachers and schools, they can help their children progress and develop their abilities and qualities. Time should be allocated for students to connect with information, entertainment, and engage in sports or arts. Let them enjoy the spring festivities freely through activities such as celebrating, communicating, sharing, traveling, visiting relatives, and guests of their parents... Through these activities, they gain practical experience and acquire more life skills and knowledge.
There's no need to assign homework during the Lunar New Year holiday; just spend about 1-2 days reviewing your lessons and preparing well for a successful second semester before returning to school.
Master Pham Le Thanh (Nguyen Hien High School, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City)
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Quang Dat, Principal of Tay Thanh High School (Tan Phu District), said that this is the first year the school has issued a notice requesting teachers not to assign homework to students during Tet in any form.
Mr. Dat stated that the school's view is that the long Tet holiday is for students to reunite with their families. Therefore, teachers not assigning homework will create a relaxed and joyful atmosphere for the students, allowing them to fully experience a Tet holiday filled with love and warmth with their families. Family affection will be the foundation and material that nurtures the children to live with love, responsibility, and ambition…
According to Mr. Dat, in previous years, although the school always instructed teachers not to assign homework during Tet (Lunar New Year) to avoid putting pressure on students, especially 12th-grade students, some teachers and even parents, out of concern and worry that their children would neglect their studies and not have sufficient knowledge during the long Tet holiday, still assigned some homework to students. Mr. Dat believes that while this stems from love and concern, it still prevents students from fully enjoying their Tet holiday due to worries about their studies.
Therefore, this year, Tay Thanh High School issued a notice to all teachers and parents to reach a consensus on the following viewpoint: "Let the students enjoy and experience a truly meaningful Tet holiday of reunion and togetherness with their families, grandparents, and parents, filled with love and family traditions… This is also how the school aims to build a happy school," shared the Principal of Tay Thanh High School.
Learning through hands-on experiences during spring activities.
Regarding primary school students, Ms. Lam Hong Lam Thuy, Head of the Primary Education Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, said that since students attend school for two sessions a day, all knowledge and exercises are completed in class. Therefore, time at home is for students to review and prepare for new lessons, spend time communicating, sharing, and caring for their relatives. During the Tet holiday, Ms. Thuy added that schools do not assign homework so that students can relax and enjoy the joyful atmosphere of Tet, and truly have fun with their families after days of reviewing and completing the end-of-semester 1 exams. Through activities such as celebrating the New Year, communicating, sharing, traveling , returning to their hometowns, visiting and wishing relatives a happy new year, etc., students gain practical learning experiences, acquire more life skills, and develop their character and qualities.
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