The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has encouraged schools not to release balloons on their new academic year events

The move followed a recent letter sent by Nguyet Nguyet Linh, a sixth-grader of Marie Curie Secondary School in Hanoi, to more than 40 local schools to call for the end of balloon releases at their opening ceremonies of the new school year. 

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Nghia said that she was extremely impressed by Linh’s idea.

Her letter has helped to contribute to raising awareness about the consequences of plastic waste. Many schools see the balloon release as a common way to brighten up the new school year’s opening ceremony. But almost no one thinks of the impact on the environment.

MOET praised Linh’s idea and said it needs to be promoted. The ministry hopes to see more positive suggestions on environmental protection, Nghia added.

The ministry has asked schools to apply creative ways to ensure their new academic year events are not only to be meaningful, but also contribute to protecting the environment.

“I hoped that Linh’s letter can help to stir awareness and responsibility about environmental protection,” Nghia noted.

The deputy minister highlighted that in the coming time, MoET will have specific instructions for localities and schools in organising opening ceremonies of the new school year with the focus on environmentally-friendly activities.

Following Linh’s call, Marie Curie and other schools in Hanoi have no longer used plastic wrap on textbooks.

Nguyen Quoc Binh, headmaster of Le Quy Don Secondary and High School in Hanoi, said that the school had called on students not to use plastic for textbook wrap last academic school year. This year, the school was keen to continue the campaign. Dtinews

My Ha