The significance of the drum sound at the opening ceremony of the new school year 2024-2025 in Vietnam

The significance of the drum sound at the opening ceremony of the new school year 2024-2025 in Vietnam

Based on Decision 2045/QD-BGDDT in 2024 on the Framework Schedule for the 2024-2025 school year for preschool, general education, and continuing education issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on August 1, 2024, it states:

- School attendance will begin no more than one week before the opening ceremony. For first graders, school attendance can begin no more than two weeks before the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony nationwide is on September 5, 2024 .

During the opening ceremony, the principal usually performs the new school year drum beat.

The drum sound signifies the start of a new school year. It resonates like a call to the "little soldiers" to engage in a year-long journey of learning.

Guide for Beating the Drum for the New School Year 2024-2025

Currently, there are no specific regulations on how to beat the drum. The tradition is to beat the drum three times with nine beats each time. This means nine beats in one session, a short pause between sessions, and a total of three sessions.

Different styles of drum beating include: 3 sessions + 9 beats; 1 session + 9 beats, or 1 session + 3 beats, Or 3 sessions + 9 beats.

The significance of the drum sound at the opening ceremony of the new school year 2024-2025 in Vietnam (Internet image)

What is the duration of primary education in Vietnam?

According to Clause 1, Article 28 of the Education Law 2019, the levels and ages of general education are regulated as follows:

Levels and Ages of General Education

1. The levels and ages of general education are regulated as follows:

a) Primary education is conducted over 5 school years, from grade one to the end of grade five. Students entering grade one are 6 years old, calculated by the year;

b) Lower secondary education is conducted over 4 school years, from grade six to the end of grade nine. Students entering grade six must have completed primary education. Students entering grade six are 11 years old, calculated by the year;

c) Upper secondary education is conducted over 3 school years, from grade ten to the end of grade twelve. Students entering grade ten must have a certificate of lower secondary education. Students entering grade ten are 15 years old, calculated by the year.

2. Students may attend classes at a different age than stipulated in Clause 1, including:

a) Students who advance early because of intellectual development;

b) Students attend classes at an older age than the stipulated age in cases of retention, socio-economically disadvantaged areas, ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, students with physical or intellectual impairments, orphans, impoverished students, students returning from abroad, and other circumstances specified by law.

....

Thus, according to the above regulations, primary education is conducted over 5 school years, from grade one to the end of grade five.

What is the Schedule for the 2024-2025 School Year in Different Localities in Vietnam?

Based on Article 2 of Decision 2045/QD-BGDDT in 2024, the following principles apply for the 2024-2025 academic schedule in different localities:

- The academic schedule must ensure a total of 35 weeks of instruction (18 weeks in the first semester and 17 weeks in the second semester).

- The academic schedule should align with the local characteristics and actual conditions.

- Public holidays and other days off are implemented according to the Labor Code and annual guiding documents.

- Annual leave for teachers is taken during summer vacations or interspersed throughout the year as it fits with local specifics and the academic schedule.

- The academic schedule should ensure consistency across different educational levels within the same area, especially for schools that offer multiple educational levels.

Additionally, the responsibilities of various agencies will be carried out according to Article 3 of Decision 2045/QD-BGDDT in 2024 as follows:

- The Chairman of the provincial or city People's Committee decides:

+ The academic schedule for preschool, general education, and continuing education in accordance with local realities.

+ The early start date and the extended school year, not exceeding 15 days compared to the regulations in Article 1 of this Decision, to ensure the implementation and completion of the educational programs in the event of natural disasters or epidemics. Special cases must be reported to the Ministry of Education and Training before implementation.

- The Director of the Department of Education and Training:

+ Decides school closures in case of extreme weather, natural disasters, and arranges for makeup classes, ensuring the teachers' rest periods during the school year.

+ Reports to the Ministry of Education and Training on:

++ The preparations for the school year and the organization of the opening ceremony of the 2024 - 2025 school year before September 10, 2024;

++ The summary of the implementation of tasks, primary solutions for the 2024 - 2025 school year, and the evaluation of performance criteria, recommendations for rewards by June 25, 2025.