Don't let the Mid-Autumn Festival feast at school become an underground race between classes.

(Dan Tri) - Although the Mid-Autumn Festival has passed for a few days, its echoes are still noisy in the parent community. Million-dollar feasts put pressure on parents, turning into hidden races between classes.

Mr. Bui, a parent at Hiep Tan Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City, shared his concerns when attending the "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" contest held at the school last week.

The program has two activities: a fruit tray display contest for students in grades 3, 4, and 5 and a lantern design and decoration contest for students in grades 1 and 2.

In which, the activity of displaying the five-fruit tray had the participation of 3 students, homeroom teachers and 2 parents in each class. The remaining activity had 3 students, homeroom teachers and 1 parent in each class.

“At the event, I was surprised to see the huge display of five-fruit trays. Many parents even whispered about hiring a service to make the trays at a cost of up to several million VND,” Mr. Bui shared.

A tray of five fruits at the "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" contest organized by the Hiep Tan Primary School Union, Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: PHCC).

According to the parent, in the past, the school's activities were very simple but still meaningful. However, in the past 2 years, in order to have a tray of fruit considered beautiful - unique - strange, and to win high prizes, many classes have mobilized large sums of money.

“For poor families, this contribution becomes a burden, taking away the comfort inherent in a joyful collective activity. Or this class looks at other classes and chases after achievements so that the children won’t be sad because their class’s fruit tray is too ordinary,” said Mr. Bui.

On the other hand, parents believe that the traditional fruit tray carries a message of togetherness, gratitude and respect. But when appearance is put first, children easily understand that value lies in the expensiveness and size, instead of spiritual meanings.

Parents say that the million-dong feasts put pressure on parents, turning into underground races (Photo: PHCC).

Similarly, parent Minh Kieu shares the same opinion and believes that a proper fruit tray does not necessarily have to be elaborate or luxurious, but should use local specialties so that children can learn more about tradition.

“When parents and schools work towards tradition and simplicity, students can truly feel the beauty of culture and learn the lesson of sincerity,” the parent emphasized.

Two parents also said that when the food is big, students often do not use it all, causing waste.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, Principal of Hiep Tan Primary School, said that the "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" contest launched by the school's Union aims to help students review the traditions and meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival, create a healthy playground for students to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival with friends, as well as create a connection between family and school.

This is also an opportunity for children to participate in Team activities and children's movements.

She said that this activity was organized entirely on the voluntary basis of students and parents. In the fruit tray competition, teachers guided students to display and present the meaning of the fruit trays they made themselves.

Parents participate in supporting additional decoration of the space such as: trimming fruit, making coconut leaves, bringing home decorative tools to add to the decoration, so there is no cost for this activity.

The judges mainly grade the work done by teachers and students. The work invested by parents is just for decoration and does not affect the contest.

The fruit portion of the tray is sponsored by the class's sponsors, depending on the ability of the parents of each class.

Parents join the activity of displaying the fruit tray with students and teachers (Photo: PHCC).

However, in reality, when organizing, some classes have more fruit than the general requirement, so the school will learn from experience and make adjustments to help this activity maintain and reflect the true spirit and meaning of the competition.

“After the above activity, the school also received many positive responses from parents and students. This is an annual activity, bringing meaningful value, students and parents are very excited when participating. After organizing, the classes let students enjoy the party right in the classroom so there is no waste,” said Ms. Nguyet.

The principal emphasized that the school will review and adjust the organization for the next time.

* Parent's name has been changed

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/dung-de-mam-co-trung-thu-o-truong-hoc-tro-thanh-cuoc-dua-ngam-giua-cac-lop-20251008221049225.htm