GREETINGS FOR NEW ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2020-2021
On the occasion of September 1st, the first day of 2020-2021 academic year, the President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga delivered greetings to schoolchildren, university students, parents and educators.
Dear children, students and youth, who hold the future of Mongolia in your hands, and
Wise teachers, educators and parents!
I would like to congratulate you on the 1st of September, a day of the year which everybody is thrilled to welcome.
This is a sacred day that bestows happiness of learning upon all of whom were raised singing the September 1st Song. This is also the first day for the precious little children to take the first step into the academic world, holding willful hands of their teachers who guide them.
Knowledge is the greatest strength, the foundation of high-quality livelihood. Let me thank the children and youth who aspire to wisdom, and pay respect to the generous teachers.
It has been quite a while since all levels of learning, including pre-school, were shifted to online formats due to COVID-19 pandemic. Even today, decision has been made to maintain the COVID-19 precautions and exercise the learning process in combined academic and online learning environment. Therefore, we are celebrating the beginning of the new academic year in a humble setting.
Burden of the current circumstances is only on the shoulders of educators, and children and youth are the victims. The fact that the quarantine measures have led the children staying at home to develop mental illness due excessive amount of screen time can never be overlooked. It is high time the educators, and we as parents thought this through for the sake of our children.
I would like to citate Sukhbaatar, the Great General, who famously said “uncertainty and inability will be vanquished and the destination will reveal itself for you, if you consistently pursue the way of studying, learning and practicing”, no matter the circumstances.
From the time of my childhood, I remember receiving a list of must-read books, and parents inviting up wise men to home-school their children. Why don’t we give this tradition another round? There is nothing wrong with reading “Discovering the World” by Lodongiin Tudev, “Gazar Shoroo” by Maam Dugerjav, “Nuudel Suudal” by Baabar and “Genghis Khan The Great” by Pétis de La Croix. Children raised reading books become independent adults, therefore, independent thinkers.
Regular physical exercise, careful attention to one’s health and turning down bad habits can create a peaceful, happy and physically healthy individual. I wish children and parents alike to always keep this in mind. Being a role model does not cost money, but aspiration, effort and courage.
Although Mongolia has managed to contain the spread of COVID-19 within the clinical level, it is still necessary for everyone to strictly follow the precautionary measures and take good care of one’s health with regard to the new academic year.
I would like to once again congratulate You on the threshold of the academic year. May the descendants of Great Chingis Khaan grow by thousands, and the future generations be raised healthy and bright.
May the power of Eternal Heaven bestow upon us ever-prospering wisdom.
KHALTMAAGIIN BATTULGA
PRESIDENT OF MONGOLIA