PANO – Despite the scorching sun and the heat of mid-summer, more than 400 students of Hanoi’s Hoang Dieu-Victoria private high school remained patient while taking part in exercises at the school yard of Infantry Officers College 1 under the instruction of soldiers. They are learning how to be patient, obedient and disciplined and how to overcome any difficulties or hardships faced in their daily lives. This is all included in the first lesson of their extra-curricular activities under the theme “One day as a soldier”.

To start off with, many of the students were surprised and nervous or found it hard to get used to the strict order and the discipline required by the army. Everything is done strictly to timetable including eating, sleeping and resting.

Teachers of the Hoang Dieu school have worked closely with staff of the Infantry Officers College to design a suitable timetable for the students.

Students were even taught how to tidy up their beds following the soldiers' demonstration. They all admired the soldiers' swift but precise movements in performing every task.

For students, lunch time was most interesting. They were given the same food portions as real soldiers. These school girls and boys washed the dishes themselves voluntarily.

This form of out of school activity is an unusual and unique way of helping teach children patience, good behaviour, self-awareness and team spirit.

Nguyen Thuy Giang, a 6th grade student confided that she very much enjoyed the event and that she also would like to be a soldier when grown up. “I saw that the soldiers here are very healthy, hard-working and brave” Giang added.

This activity is the first of its kind under a 3 year pilot programme entitled “Students learn to be soldiers” launched by the Hoang Dieu-Victoria private high school, starting from this year.

Translated by Mai Huong