Students of Giảng Võ Secondary School at the opening ceremony of a new school year on Monday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Around 23 million students nationwide started the new school year on Monday.

The new academic year opening ceremony was held in-person this year after two years of disruption due to COVID-19.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc attended the opening ceremony of University of Science’s High School for Gifted Students, Vietnam National University-Hà Nội.

The school, which has 39 classes with 1,736 students, is one of the top educational facilities in Việt Nam, with many students winning medals and prizes at regional and international Olympiads.

Hailing the contributions of the students to Việt Nam’s achievements in regional and global Olympiads, President Phúc noted that education was the foundation of sustainable development and the decisive factor in the nation’s future.

“Investing in education is an investment in the future. Education is both the driving force and the goal of social development,” he said.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc beats drums to kick off a new school year at the University of Science’s High School for Gifted Students. — VNA/VNS Photo

He urged the education sector to continue educational renovation with a focus on modernisation, international integration and comprehensive human development. This aims to create high-quality labour resources meeting new requirements of the nation’s socio-economic, scientific and technological growth and the fourth industrial revolution.

The target is to make our country competitive in regional education and training, catching up with the advanced level of the world and engaging in the international human resource training market, he said.

He asked the sector to harmonise private and public education, give priority to disadvantaged areas and ethnic minority, border and island regions to make sure everyone gets equal access to good results in the educational system.

Earlier in a written congratulatory message sent to the educational sector on the threshold of the new school year, President Phúc said: “Teachers and students are finally back together after a period of COVID-19-induced suspension of school for an in-person entrance ceremony at their beloved schools, sharing determination, faith and hope for a new academic journey.”

On behalf of Party and State leaders, he acknowledges and warmly commends the education sector for staying united and determined to surmount difficulties and for what it has achieved during the last academic year.

The President called for concerted efforts of the entire society and the education sector to build a good culture and social standards for children to follow; and develop a learning society accessible to all children, particularly vulnerable ones.

The same morning Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended the new school year’s opening ceremony of Đoàn Thị Điểm Primary School in Hà Nội – the city’s first bilingual school.

Besides learning, he asked the children to develop the habit of reading to gain more knowledge and foster their soul, and also improve life skills.

First graders of Đoàn Thị Điểm School at their first new school year opening ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

For teachers, the PM shared their hard work, and urged them to ensure a balance between learning, play and daily life activities. He also asked parents to work closely with schools to take care of and educate children.

He asked the educational sector to address shortcomings including shortages of teachers, classrooms and textbooks and speed up COVID-19 vaccination campaigns for children.

PM Phạm Minh Chính greets students of Đoàn Thị Điểm School. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

He also urged authorities to pay attention to school hygiene, safety and take care of disabled students and those who are children of war invalids and soldiers, not let any child drop out of school due to any disadvantages. —VNS