There are many mixed opinions about the announcement by some school principals that they will not accept flowers and gifts on November 20th.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Van Tri Primary School (District 1) and Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School (District 6) are two units that have announced that they will not accept flowers and gifts for the school's Board of Directors, teachers, and staff on the occasion of November 20.

Recently, open letters about not accepting flowers and gifts for the school board, teachers, and staff, or exchanging flowers for gifts for students on the occasion of November 20 from Phan Van Tri Primary School (District 1) and Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School (District 6) have created a great impact on society. Besides the majority of opinions agreeing, there are also some opinions that parents and students should not be banned from expressing gratitude to teachers.

Exchange flowers for notebooks, milk, and sports equipment for students

Recently, Phan Van Tri Primary School (District 1) wrote an open letter to donors, businesses, and organizations. In the letter, the school expressed its wish that instead of giving flowers, businesses and organizations would change the form to giving notebooks, milk, and sports equipment so that the school can reward students.

Open letter from Phan Van Tri Primary School (District 1) wishing to exchange flowers for teachers for notebooks, milk, and sports equipment for students. Photo: School

Sharing with Dan Viet, Mr. Le Hong Thai, Principal of Phan Van Tri Primary School, said: "Flowers are beautiful but they will also wither. Every year, when I change the flowers after November 20, I feel sorry to see the flowers thrown in the trash. I just think that instead of receiving flowers, I should ask for notebooks, milk, and sports equipment to serve the school's sports festival and competitions in November."

Mr. Thai confided that sometimes his children compete for a whole month and only get one reward, which is a pity for them. However, if only using the school's budget, it is not enough because Phan Van Tri Primary School is also a difficult school. That is why the school mobilizes from benefactors and companies.

"The school's viewpoint is to avoid waste, practice thrift and transparency. The school invites outside support to take direct care of the children, that's all I think," said Mr. Thai.

According to Mr. Thai, up to now, the school has received support equivalent to 1,000 notebooks. In particular, a total of 447 medals and 6 trophies have been sponsored to award to students participating in the school's sports competition.

Students of Phan Van Tri Primary School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) on the opening day of the 2024-2025 school year. Photo: Nhan Le

In fact, November 20 is a day to show gratitude to teachers, many parents want to express their gratitude through gifts, whether material or spiritual. Mr. Thai said that as soon as the school's open letter became famous, he also received many mixed opinions, both praise and criticism.

Mr. Thai affirmed: "The school sends open letters to organizations, donors, and companies, not parents. Because if the school does not send them, those people will send flower baskets to the school, which leads to waste. The school does not interfere in the relationship between individual parents and teachers."

Mr. Thai added that in the school-wide parent meeting, it was absolutely not to use the class fund to reward or take care of students' lives, because that is the school's responsibility. For children, the teachers were informed to teach them about gratitude and appreciation to teachers through good study, and there was also an activity of teaching children to make cards to give to teachers.

Parents are used to not giving flowers or gifts to teachers on the occasion of November 20th.

For Phan Van Luong Secondary School, this is the second year the school has sent a letter refusing flowers and gifts to the school's Board of Directors, teachers, and staff on the occasion of November 20.

Open letter from Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School about not accepting flowers and gifts for teachers on the occasion of November 20. Photo: School

Sharing with Dan Viet, Mr. Dinh Phu Cuong, Principal of Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School, said that last year the school did not accept flowers or gifts to celebrate Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20. Instead, the school called on businesses, philanthropists, and parents to support health insurance cards for students.

As a result, the school only asked for 89 health insurance cards but was supported with 200 cards. The value of each health insurance card is 680,400 VND, used for 12 months of 2024. With the remaining cards, the school saved them and took care of these children on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2024.

This year, although there was no call for donations for health insurance cards for students in difficult circumstances, parents and donors proactively contacted to give insurance cards.

"Last year's program created a good habit among parents, so this year, although the school did not write an open letter asking for support for health insurance cards for students in difficult circumstances, the school received proactive contributions from everyone. Up to now, the school has received 72 health insurance cards for poor students on the occasion of November 20," said Mr. Cuong.

Students of Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School (District 6, HCMC) in a Literature experience activity. Photo: School

However, when the school's letter was spread on social networks, there were some opinions that parents and students should not be banned from expressing gratitude to teachers. "I think it is really sad that the school has to issue such announcements. Teaching is a noble profession, the state has given teachers a day to express gratitude, so why are my parents so strict? My point of view, from when I was still in school until now as a parent of 2 children, I still hold the view that if you are a student and a student, you should be grateful to the person who taught you and express that gratitude to your teachers on November 20" - a parent shared.

Responding to this issue, Mr. Cuong emphasized: "The school has clearly stated that it "does not organize campaigns", "does not accept flowers or congratulatory gifts from the school's Parents' Association and the Parents' Association of each class", the school does not interfere in gift giving between individual parents and teachers".

According to Mr. Cuong, the act of gratitude to teachers by parents and students is a beautiful act, demonstrating the tradition of respecting teachers of the nation. However, this should take place in the form of individuals, not calling for collective donations. "Especially after the Covid 19 pandemic, the economy has been greatly affected, many parents are facing economic difficulties, calling for donations and leveling among parents is unreasonable. Each parent should be allowed to express their gratitude to teachers in the way they want" - Mr. Cuong expressed.

Mr. Cuong added that for nearly 10 years, the school has not called for any kind of funds, especially class funds. The school has consistently held the view that it does not call for parents to contribute to any kind of funds and is always clear and transparent to parents.

Source: https://danviet.vn/nhieu-y-kien-trai-chieu-ve-viec-hieu-truong-mot-so-truong-thong-bao-khong-nhan-hoa-qua-dip-20-11-20241114131231884.htm