Ministry of Education and Training: Eliminate entrance exams for grade 6, including high-quality schools from 2025

The Ministry of Education and Training has just issued a circular on the Regulations on Admissions to Secondary and High Schools. Accordingly, from 2025, Secondary School Admissions will be based on the selection method to reduce administrative procedures.

For secondary schools and general schools with many levels of education, including secondary schools belonging to universities, colleges, and research institutes, the admission criteria are guided by the university, college, or research institute directly managing or implementing according to the instructions of the Department of Education and Training where the school is located.

In the 2024-2025 school year, in Hanoi, many schools will organize exams and tests to enroll 6th graders, most of which are high-quality schools, private schools and universities such as: Foreign Language Secondary School (under the University of Foreign Languages, Hanoi National University), Nam Tu Liem Secondary School, Thanh Xuan Secondary School, Cau Giay Secondary School, Le Loi Secondary School, Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary School - High School (under the Hanoi National University of Education)...

At Nguyen Tat Thanh Secondary and High School, more than 5,500 candidates took the aptitude test to enter grade 6 while the school only recruited 270 students. Thus, the competition ratio to enter the school is 1/20. This is also the school in Hanoi with the highest competition ratio to enter grade 6. Next is Ngoai Ngu Secondary School with a competition ratio of 1/18. At schools such as Cau Giay Secondary School, Thanh Xuan, Nam Tu Liem, a student must compete with about 10 other students to get a place at the school.

So with the newly issued Circular 30 of the Ministry of Education and Training, how do these schools recruit students?

Regarding this issue, a representative of the Ministry of Education and Training said: "The spirit of the new circular is to reduce the pressure of transfer exams for primary school students, so even private schools or high-quality schools will consider admission in a uniform manner without entrance exams."

When reporters asked about the admission method for high-quality schools, private schools with high competition ratios such as Cau Giay and Thanh Xuan Secondary Schools, the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training said: "Localities are responsible for guiding schools to implement based on the actual situation on the most appropriate basis."

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, Circular 30/2024 is built on the principle of inheriting the appropriate contents of Circular No. 11/2014, adding new regulations suitable to the educational and social context. The new Circular is built according to 3 principles:

Firstly, not causing costly pressure on parents, students and society; with the spirit of streamlining, minimizing administrative procedures; in line with the policy of digital transformation in the field of education and training.

Second, it has the effect of promoting comprehensive educational activities, initially preparing students with the qualities and abilities to be qualified to study at higher levels or to be able to learn a profession according to career orientation and streaming. In addition, the exam subjects and admission methods must also be linked to the process of regular testing and assessment with periodic testing and assessment; in line with the trend of innovation.

Third, ensure the implementation of State management functions at the macro level; develop unified regulations nationwide; at the same time, well implement the principle of decentralization, delegation of power, and clearly define the authority and responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Training, localities, universities, colleges, and research institutes.