The Ministry of Education is considering abolishing the high school graduation exam.
Regarding the suggestion to abolish the high school graduation exam, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Vinh Hien stated that the Ministry is studying whether or not to maintain the high school graduation exam and is developing a plan to gather public opinion before making a decision.
At a meeting organized by the Vietnam Fatherland Front on July 31, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan spoke and requested the Ministry of Education to research and respond on whether or not to abolish the high school graduation exam.
In response to this question, the Deputy Minister of Education and Training stated that the issue of high school graduation exams and university entrance exams in particular, and testing and assessment in general in secondary schools, is one of the important links in the teaching and learning process, having a significant impact on teaching and learning as well as relating to the rights and responsibilities of many stakeholders in society.
 Candidates discuss after completing the multiple-choice Foreign Language exam at the Viet Duc High School examination center (Hanoi). Photo: Minh Quyet - VNA. |
This is the final exam in the general education system, making it all the more important and necessary, even though the percentage of students failing the graduation exam is small. This issue has become a hot topic, attracting much intellectual attention and causing much concern and anxiety for Party and State leaders and the education sector.
In response to public opinion, educators argue that conducting a high school graduation exam could be wasteful and cost the public trillions of dong. Furthermore, the fact that the high school graduation exam and the university/college entrance exam are only about a month apart is unreasonable and creates stress for students. The Ministry of Education and Training stated that whether or not to hold an exam depends on many factors, such as the self-discipline and responsibility of each individual, and that society does not place too much importance on academic qualifications. If civil service recruitment exams were based on actual ability rather than academic qualifications, the process would be less stressful. In that case, candidates would be compelled to learn and improve themselves based on the needs of the receiving unit.
Not only in Vietnam, but many countries still hold high school graduation exams to certify the quality and effectiveness of national investment, while university and college admissions are often left to the autonomy of the institutions themselves. In the US, the number of states holding high school graduation exams is increasing. In 2005 there were 22 states, and by 2010 there were 28 states. Some countries have abolished the graduation exam, like Russia, and are now considering restoring it. But there are also countries that are considering abolishing the high school graduation exam altogether. Therefore, whether or not to maintain the high school graduation exam needs to be carefully studied and considered.
“The Ministry of Education and Training has been conducting research and incorporating the reform of high school graduation exams and university entrance exams into the Comprehensive and Fundamental Education and Training Reform Project in Vietnam, as well as the Curriculum and Textbook Reform Project after 2015. After these projects are approved, the Ministry will announce the reform plan to solicit broad feedback from agencies, units, organizations, and individuals before making an official decision,” Deputy Minister Hien stated.
According to News - TH
