A warm back-to-school season

In addition to the support efforts of the Department of Education and Training and the Dong Nai Study Promotion Association, in recent days, all levels of the Youth Union and the Provincial Women's Union have actively mobilized resources and organized back-to-school support activities to help disadvantaged students feel secure as they return to school.

Bui Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union, Head of the Provincial Women's Affairs Committee, presents support to students under the "Godmother" program. Photo: Nga Son

Not only did she receive a scholarship, but before the new school year, Bui Hoang Gia Linh, an 11th-grade student in class 11B10 at Le Hong Phong High School (Long Binh Ward), was also delighted to receive a new ao dai from the Provincial Women's Union's "Ao Dai for Children to School" Program.

Sharing difficulties, adding motivation

Gia Linh shared: I am the eldest of three siblings. My father works as a motorbike taxi driver with an unstable income, and my mother is a factory worker with a steady but modest wage. All three of us are still in school, so our parents’ earnings are just enough to cover daily expenses at a frugal level. To prepare school uniforms, textbooks, backpacks, and other supplies for the new school year, my father had to put in strenuous effort driving, while my mother saved carefully for several months in advance.

Gia Linh had planned to wear her old Ao dai from 10th grade this year to ease the burden on her parents, when she learned that the Provincial Women's Union was launching the "Ao dai for Children Going to School" program. Aware of her family's situation, the organizers not only gave her a new Ao dai but also nominated her for an additional Nguyen Thi Dinh scholarship worth 1 million VND.

"The money is enough for me to buy books, notebooks, and personal school supplies, helping my parents worry less at the beginning of the new school year," Gia Linh confided.

In addition to a 50% tuition fee reduction scholarship, recently, Tran Thi Anh Thu, a third-year student in the Faculty of Oriental Studies (Lac Hong University), also received a "Vung Tuong Lai" (Solid Future) scholarship (worth 5 million VND) awarded by the Central Committee of the Vietnam National Union of Students.

According to Anh Thu, her parents are factory workers with limited incomes, so ever since entering university, she has set a goal to “hunt” for scholarships to ease the financial burden on her family. To that end, she consistently strives for strong academic results and actively participates in competitions and activities organized by the Youth Union and the university's Student Union. In particular, beyond scholarships offered by the university and the Youth Union/Student Union, she also takes the initiative to seek out external scholarship opportunities and submit applications for consideration.

As for orphaned students, scholarships at the beginning of the school year are a great encouragement, helping them confidently enter the new school year.

Nguyen Thi Thuan (grandmother of Nguyen Ngoc Minh An, a 1st-grade student in class 1/1 at Nguyen An Ninh Primary School, Tam Hiep Ward) said: When Minh An was over 2 years old, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out strongly, Minh An's father went to work '3 on-site' and contracted the disease, then passed away. Without a father, Minh An grew up with the love of her mother, maternal grandparents, and the care of society. Recently, Minh An was one of 209 orphaned students due to COVID-19 who received financial support from Long Thanh Golf Investment and Business Joint Stock Company.

Creating opportunities for students to adapt to the new learning environment

In addition to gifts such as books, notebooks, school bags, school supplies, bicycles, and scholarships, all levels of the Youth Union also organized many activities to create opportunities for students to get acquainted with the new learning environment.

Truong Le Bao Trinh, Secretary of the Lac Hong University Youth Union, said that to kick off the new academic year, the university’s Youth Union and Student Union jointly organized a series of extracurricular tours for new students to the national historical site Van Mieu Tran Bien (Tran Bien Ward). During the program, the students visited the site, learned about its history, and offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and the ancestors honored at the Bai Duong House of Van Mieu Tran Bien. They also took part in lively team-building activities.

For new students from other provinces and cities, this activity offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Dong Nai, to interact and connect with peers, and to quickly adapt to the living and learning environment at the university level.

Pham Minh Nhut, a new student from the Faculty of Mechatronics - Electronics (Lac Hong University), shared: Coming from Ca Mau province to Dong Nai for enrollment, he initially felt a bit overwhelmed. However, thanks to the care and guidance of teachers, especially participating in activities organized by the school's Youth Union and Student Association, he had many opportunities to interact and make new friends, helping him gradually get used to student life away from home.

In addition to activities organized by the Youth Union and student associations of the schools, the Provincial Youth Union and Student Association of Dong Nai province also planned to organize "Welcome new school year - Welcome new students" activities for high school students, vocational education - continuing education centers, and university and college students in the province.

Specifically, the Provincial Youth Union and Student Association will organize a talk show on “Employment Trends in the Digital Age, Digital Skills, and Essential Soft Skills for Students”; launch the “Green Connection Journey” featuring collective activities; and host a music night program titled “Dorm – Music Tour” around student dormitories.

The highlight will be the “Welcome New Academic Year – Welcome New Students” festival, held across three clusters, with activities such as: recognizing “Three-Good Students,” “Three-Training Students,” and “Outstanding Young Teachers”; awarding “Giving Strength to School” scholarships; organizing career orientation forums and interactive game booths.

These events aim to create a healthy and enriching space for students to connect, learn, share study experiences, and actively engage in youth and student movements.

By Nga Son – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho