State President Truong Tan Sang symbolically beat the drum at an age-old high school in the Central Highlands on Tuesday, making it one of the first to open the 2013-14 academic year.

Drumming by government leaders to kick-start a school year at a certain school is an annual practice in Vietnam where education is considered a top priority.

President Sang said at Bui Thi Xuan High School, located in Lam Dong Province, that the government sees education as a very important part of the country’s industrialization and modernization goals so it always ranks top on their agenda.

The president spoke highly of efforts by the teachers and students at the 61-year-old school, which is a key place where education reform is underway.  

Many scientists, managers, officers, soldiers and skilled workers have come out from this school, the president said.

The head of state also called for much more attention to create the best education environment in general for local children on this occasion.

On the same day educators in Ho Chi Minh City inaugurated a new school in Tan Phu District that cost VND45 billion (US$2.1 million) to build.

Almost 1,100 students attended the inaugural and new school year opening ceremonies at Tran Quang Khai Middle School, which is nearly 5,000 square meters in area and boasts four floors and 18 classrooms.

Le Hong Son, director of the municipal education department, said that the school is one of 18 constructions to be put into use this academic year in the southern hub.

The city has completed building 1,332 new classrooms out of the targeted 1,600, Son said.

Normally September 5 is the day for the formal opening of a school year in Vietnam.