Should graduation ceremonies be reserved only for 12th graders?

The term "graduation ceremony" is being overused in Vietnamese schools, with some institutions holding them for students as young as kindergarten, according to a discussion sparked by an article in Tuổi Trẻ newspaper. Many readers agree that the term "graduation" is being applied too broadly and feels forced for younger students.

Readers expressed that only 12th graders, who are on the cusp of adulthood and turning 18, should have "graduation ceremonies." Some suggested that younger students, such as those in 5th or 9th grade, are too young for such a designation. They proposed alternative events like teacher appreciation ceremonies or year-end celebrations for younger students instead of "graduation ceremonies."

However, one reader offered a different perspective, suggesting that "graduation" can represent a continuous process of growth with multiple milestones. Finishing a school level, moving to a new environment, and facing new challenges can all be seen as steps toward maturity. Under this broader interpretation, using "graduation" for middle or even elementary school students might not be entirely incorrect. This view, however, was met with disagreement from other readers.

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Thật ra từ lâu tôi cũng có suy nghĩ từ "trưởng thành" dường như chúng ta đã lạm dụng hơi nhiều. Ngay cả lớp 5, lớp 9 không ít trường cuối niên học cũng tổ chức "lễ trưởng thành" rồi có cả mặc áo thụng