Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training: 'With the mindset of doing everything for the students, we have overcome the obstacles caused by the Covid-19 epidemic'

High School Graduation Exam 2021took place in a special context when the Covid-19 epidemic was complicated in Nghe An and many other provinces and cities across the country. Despite that, more than 34,000 candidates in Nghe An had a safe, serious, and regulated exam.

Looking back at this year's exam, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Education and Training.

Candidates taking the 2021 High School Graduation Exam. Photo: My Ha

Proactively deploy in all situations

Reporter: Professor, Dr. Thai Van Thanh, although there was an official document guiding the Ministry of Education and Training, in this year's exam, Nghe An is one of the few localities that can organize a full exam with the participation of all candidates, including F1 and F2 candidates. In this very special context, why did Nghe An make this decision?

Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh:Before deciding to allow candidates to participate in the first round of the High School Graduation Exam and to allow F2 students to take the exam, the Education and Training sector asked for opinions from the Provincial Steering Committee for the exam and consulted with the Health sector to make decisions and prepare methodically. In addition, in recent days, Nghe An province has basically controlled the epidemic and the sector has also carefully prepared scenarios, built plans for arranging backup exam sites, and the movement of candidates to ensure safety and epidemic prevention for F1 and F2 subjects for all exam sites.

Prof. Dr. Meritorious Service Thai Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Education and Training. Photo: Duc Anh

Before the exam, we also fully trained and thoroughly informed each member, so even though we decided to let F1 candidates take the exam at a very special time (one night before the exam), the preparation work was still not passive and went smoothly, without affecting other candidates.

Prof. Dr. Meritorious Teacher Thai Van Thanh

When deciding to allow candidates to take the exam, although we did not conduct a sociological survey, we directed the principals of the schools to collect the wishes of the candidates and their parents. During the organization process, we also considered very carefully, especially the professional opinions of the health sector. When we received the consensus of the candidates and their parents, we created all conditions for these candidates to participate in the exam in the most convenient way. Organizing for all candidates to participate in the exam in the first round also brought many benefits.

Economically, organizing an exam will help the province and parents save money and be effective. But more importantly, it will meet the needs and desires of candidates to take the exam, which is also the wish of many parents and families. No one wants to prolong the exam because that will create pressure for the candidates themselves.

The flow of students is strictly implemented at the examination sites. Photo: My Ha

PV: Up to this point, the exam in Nghe An has been smooth and safe. How do you evaluate this year's exam and what lessons have we learned from the organization, sir?

Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh:Although taking place in a special context, we can currently affirm that Nghe An's exam took place safely and successfully, the exam was held seriously, in accordance with regulations and with quality, especially safety in epidemic prevention.

Through this exam, we also learned a lot of experience. That is, in any context, situation, whether it is an epidemic or a natural disaster, we must prepare scenarios and be ready for situations to proactively deploy. Besides, with the mindset of all for the students, we will overcome all difficulties, obstacles and hardships. It is very happy that although the exam took place in a special context, parents and candidates were very excited at the end of the exam. In addition to doing a good job of ensuring safety, this year's exam of the Ministry is suitable for the context of epidemic prevention, reducing the workload but still ensuring the implementation of two goals: recognizing graduation and considering university admission.

Candidates take the Literature exam at the 2021 High School Graduation Exam. Photo: Duc Anh

Reporter: Right after the exam ends, the Education Department will also start grading the exams. So how has Nghe An Education Department prepared for this work, sir?

Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh:The marking stage is a very important stage. Strictly following the regulations will ensure accurate, fair and objective results for candidates and contribute to the success of the exam.

In Nghe An, the exam marking work has been built in advance, including establishing a steering committee for marking, inspecting the marking, and mobilizing a team of examiners. Currently, the Ministry of Education and Training's exam marking inspection team has arrived in Nghe An to guide and implement marking from July 11 as planned. In order to ensure epidemic prevention safety, the People's Committee of Nghe An province has agreed with the proposal of the Department of Education and Training and organized vaccination.Covid-19 roomfor more than 400 judges.

Supervisor disseminates regulations for high school graduation exam in 2021. Photo: Duc Anh

The results of the exam are a measure of teaching and learning.

PV: The high school graduation exam will be a measure to re-evaluate the teaching and learning results of schools. For the Nghe An Education Department, after this exam, what adjustments will be made to improve the quality of teaching and learning?

Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh:This is a 2-in-1 exam, with the purpose of obtaining results for both high school graduation and university admission. Therefore, the exam score is an important measure reflecting the quality of teaching in high schools.

Members of the steering committee inspect the exam work in Quy Hop district. Photo: My Ha.

For Nghe An province, after the Ministry announces the exam results, the Department will analyze the score distribution of each subject, compare the exam scores with the results of the candidates' academic records, and with the scores of the previous school year, and send the score distribution of each subject to each locality and each school. If any subject has a lower average score than the previous year, the Department of Education and Training and the Department's Secondary Education Department will assess the situation and find the cause and existence.

Thereby, innovative solutions are proposed in both the direction of the industry as well as the teaching activities of the school. The adjustment must be suitable for each locality, region and each school. It both creates motivation for teachers and students to teach and encourages the students' capacity in the coming school year.

PV:Sir, in recent years, the High School Graduation Exam has been improved and organized more simply and compactly to reduce pressure on parents and localities. However, there are still many different opinions about the organization of the exam. So in your opinion, what improvements should the exam have in the coming years to help the organization be simpler and more convenient while still achieving the set goals?

Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh:In our objective assessment, the high school graduation exam directed by the Ministry is very systematic and scientific, meets students' wishes and serves two purposes.

Candidates exchange papers after the final exam. Photo: Duc Anh

PV: Thank you for this interview!

The most important thing is what students learn, what they can do and how they can apply knowledge into practice and life.

Prof. Dr. Thai Van Thanh: