Minister of Education and Training: The most difficult thing when innovating exams is changing mindset

If the whole society changes its awareness and thinking according to Resolution 29-NQ/TW, then innovation in teaching, learning and examinations will be successful.

Implementing Resolution 29-NQ/TW on the Project “Fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education”, the Ministry of Education and Training is innovating teaching, learning and examinations in the direction of promoting the capacity and qualities of learners according to new programs and textbooks. To effectively implement these innovations, it is necessary to have consensus and change the thinking and thinking of the whole society towards the policies set forth by the education sector, the Government and the National Assembly.

On the occasion of the beginning of the Year of the Goat 2015, Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan shared and discussed major changes in teaching, learning and examinations, especially when the National High School Exam is approaching.

PV:In 2014, the Education sector has carried out many tasks assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. Could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements of the Education sector in the past year?

Minister Pham Vu Luan:Looking back at 2014, the education sector and the whole society have done a lot for the cause of education development. Standing from the perspective of the sector commander, I see that the whole society, including the management staff, teachers and students, have had many changes in thinking, awareness and approach to education.

The contents of fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training have been thoroughly grasped, implemented and studied in many management agencies, educational institutions, schools, etc.

The first draft of the general education program has been released.

PV:At the 8th session of the 13th National Assembly, delegates voted to approve the Resolution on Innovation of general education programs and textbooks in the direction of having many sets of textbooks based on one curriculum. The Ministry of Education and Training directed the development of one set of textbooks along with many other sets of textbooks compiled by organizations and individuals. So how is the process of building a legal corridor to compile new textbooks to bring confidence to the whole society, especially to learners, being implemented by the education sector, Minister?

Minister Pham Vu Luan:The Ministry of Education and Training is actively implementing the Resolution on Innovation of General Education Programs and Textbooks under the direction of the National Assembly. First of all, the Ministry of Education and Training believes that it is necessary to promulgate a system of legal documents, including contents related to the regulations on selecting members to participate in drafting the textbook program; regulations on the operation of the Textbook Compilation Councils; financial and expenditure regulations; regulations on control, appraisal and issuance of textbooks... These are necessary legal documents to compile quality textbooks, ensuring compliance with the law and meeting the requirements set forth by the National Assembly.

In addition, the Ministry of Education and Training is also developing a program and proposing the evaluation of new textbooks. In the past 3 years, along with the development of the Project for Fundamental and Comprehensive Innovation of Education and Training, the Ministry of Education and Training has convened experts and teachers with experience and knowledge of new educational methods in the direction of promoting the capacity and qualities of students to summarize and re-evaluate the current textbook program as well as learn from the experiences of compiling textbooks of countries with developed economies. At the same time, the Ministry also takes advantage of the support of international organizations and Ministries of Education and Training in countries around the world in providing documents, experts, and information to compile new textbooks.

So far, the Ministry of Education and Training has had the first draft of the general education program. After the Lunar New Year 2015, the Ministry will convene scientists, experts, and teachers more widely to continue discussing and perfecting the program. Next, the Ministry will widely collect opinions from all walks of life to perfect the new textbook program.

Studying and taking exams in new ways requires a change in thinking.

PV:In addition to the innovation of general education programs and textbooks, the issue of exam innovation is also of public concern. In 2015, we will have a national high school exam. Could you please tell us what the biggest difficulties and pressures are for exam innovation and what are the solutions to overcome those difficulties?

Minister Pham Vu Luan:Exam reform is an action that has a great impact on the whole society, especially on teachers, parents and students. For many years, the old way of studying and taking exams has existed as if it were ingrained in the blood and flesh, becoming the breath of the people. Therefore, the biggest difficulty and pressure is how to change people's habits, thinking and thinking about studying and taking exams from the old method to the new method.

In the Project “Fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training”, changing the mindset and awareness of the whole society is considered a breakthrough to innovate examinations. The Ministry of Education and Training is requiring educational institutions to implement one-way knowledge transfer to promote the capacity and qualities of learners.

However, at present, the staff and teachers who can meet the requirements of teaching and practical experience to organize teaching and examinations according to the new method are still very limited. Therefore, we must implement the direction that teachers must self-study, train, and take advantage of support and cooperation with international educational organizations to quickly gain knowledge, skills and practical experience in teaching methods to promote the capacity and qualities of learners in the new textbook program.

Difficulties and challenges in teaching, learning and testing according to new methods can be overcome when the whole society has updated, complete and profound awareness and thinking of the spirit of Resolution 29-NQ/TW on the Project "Fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training".

PV:Thank you Minister and wish the Education sector great success in 2015!./.