The opening ceremony is a sacred moment. The beating of the opening drum is a moment that stirs many emotions.
Only those who have directly engaged in education, directly taught classes or directly managed the activities of a school can truly understand and appreciate the significance of the sound of the opening drum.
Because of this sacredness, many principals, despite beating the opening drum every year, still take time to practice before the opening day, hoping that the sound of the opening drum will be warm, resonant, and spirited to kick off a new school year.
Some schools even have a drum commentary section. When the principal beats the opening drum, the vice principal will read a poem to accompany the drum’s rhythm, expressing good wishes for a new school year.
This is a beautiful image, symbolizing collaboration, support, and mutual recognition among members of the school board as a new school year begins.
Therefore, the sound of the opening drum is always a highlight of the ceremony, elevating to become a sacred moment and a symbol of a new school year. The sound of the opening drum is an announcement that a new school year has officially begun.
The question is: who beats the drum? If in the past, it was naturally the principal’s job to beat the opening drum because it was an order to start a new school year, then in recent years there has been a trend for local leaders and departments to beat the drum. At first glance, this might seem like just social etiquette. The most sacred moment of the ceremony would be reserved for leaders present at school.
But leaders only appear and beat the drum. Teaching, learning, managing operations, and cheering for an entire new school year are matters for teachers and students. Therefore, the sound of leaders’ drums is still an outsider’s sound, lacking the sacred connection between teachers and students in such an unforgettable uplifting moment.
This is similar to scientific seminars where leaders often appear and give directions. But what kind of direction can be given in an in-depth scientific seminar? It’s indeed a headache for both leaders and scientists.
The reason for both phenomena is due to respect and social etiquette towards leaders rather than stemming from the benefits and seriousness of professional activities taking place. Everyone knows this but no one dares to do differently. Because doing differently might bring unnecessary troubles.
Now that it’s time for another opening day. The question “Who beats the opening drum?” has become a concern and common discussion topic in society. Some localities have issued directives stating clearly that leaders only attend opening ceremonies and do not participate in beating drums.
This is a correct directive that aligns with societal expectations. Leaders have their own work. Principals have their own work. Each person has their own role and responsibilities which should not overlap or be confused with each other.
On opening day, leaders attend ceremonies as witnesses and supporters rather than taking over principals’ duties. For many years now, the sound of drums has belonged to schools. The sacred and eager sound of opening drums belongs even more so to schools.
Therefore, let’s return the sound of opening drums to principals who have authority and responsibility to beat them so that they can resonate crisply yet warmly during this sacred moment of a new school year.
Giáp Văn Dương
You are viewing the article:
Who beats the drum at the opening ceremony?
Link https://juggalonews.com/opinion/who-beats-the-drum-at-the-opening-ceremony.html