By Augustine DoPhuc, SDB

       Don Bosco Tan Ha, Lamdong, Vietnam, 22 September 2021 -- The epidemic still has complicated developments, social distancing is strictly implemented. Students cannot return to school. However, at 9 am on 18 September, at vocational school of Tan Tien (Tan ha, Lamdong, Vietnam), the opening ceremony of the new year school took place online.

       Participating in the opening ceremony were Fr. Provincial, Barnaba Le An Phong SDB, the Rector of Tan Ha community, Fr. Anton Nguyen Anh Tuan SDB, Principal, Br. Martin Bui Van Luan SDB, other Salesians, teachers and more than 380 students and their parents. The ceremony took place within a brief 45-minute period. The opening involved a few words of welcome, orientation for the new year schooling and an opening drum roll by the Principal Bui Van Luan. Followed by an address on the training progress and rules of the training department.

       After the expression of gratitude and promise from a student representative, Fr. Provincial addressed the group. He welcomed staff and students, congratulated the school and offered fatherly words of encouragement to the Board of Directors, teachers and especially to the students.

       Last month, the training department upgraded its network system and began implementing the plan of online teaching. The software used for online studies is Microsoft Teams. This is free software for educational school, licensed from the US. It is very convenient and effective in learning and administration.

       This year, the number of students at school is higher, with 541 students. Currently, Tan Tien School offers training in 7 different professions: Automotive Mechanics, Manufacturing Mechanics, Graphic Design, Fashion Garments, Corporate Accounting, Refrigeration and Industrial Electrical. Parallel with vocational training is high school level teaching.

       The opening day is over. It opens a new year full of fun, excitement at learning and the desire to return to school soon. A student shared: “Studying online is sleepy, it is difficult to absorb the lesson. But I'm still happy, because I can learn something. I look forward to the day when I can go back to school to continue my studies.”

       Wishing Salesians, teachers and all students health, joy and peace. Wishing Tan Tien School a start to the new year with many good results in educational work.

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