Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training: Reduce pressure on candidates during exam season

Self-study session of students at Ethnic Minority Boarding High School No. 2. Photo: Duc Anh

Competition in the 10th grade entrance exam is not too stressful

PV:Sir, this school year, the entire education sector has been greatly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. So, how has the Nghe An education sector adjusted to reduce the pressure on studying and enrolling students in grade 10?

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa:As we all know, this year is a special school year due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic and students have to stay home from school for many months. In response to this reality, based on the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Nghe An Department of Education and Training has also developed a program to reduce the workload for each level and each subject. The streamlining is specifically guided for each school week on the principle of ensuring that students have basic, fundamental knowledge and have enough capacity to study for the following school years. Through understanding from localities, up to this point, all schools have completed the program and summarized the school year. In particular, final year students continue to review for exams because the exams have been extended by 1 month.

Students of Do Luong High School review for the high school graduation exam. Photo: My Ha

PV:The Department of Education and Training has announced the school's enrollment plan and the admission rate of candidates to public high schools. So, with the published data, do you think this exam is more competitive than previous exams? This year, candidates only take 3 subjects instead of 5 subjects like previous years. Will that affect the candidates' results?

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa:I must affirm that in any exam, there is competition and pressure on the students. For schools, the exam is also the basis for evaluating the teaching and learning process, the quality of teaching and learning in schools.

In Nghe An, this year, the 10th grade entrance exam has more than 37,000 candidates registered to take the exam. Based on the number of candidates registering for the 10th grade entrance exam of high schools, vocational education centers and approved enrollment quotas of schools, the Department has announced the list of high schools organizing entrance exams and high schools organizing admissions. Accordingly, this year, 43 schools will conduct admissions because the number of candidates registering for the exam is lower than the assigned quota. Of which, only 3 public schools will conduct admissions: Tuong Duong 1 and 2 high schools, Que Phong high school. The rest are mainly non-public schools and vocational education centers and continuing education centers.

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training. Photo: My Ha

For the remaining students, if they do not pass the entrance exam, they can be transferred to study at Vocational Education Centers - Continuing Education Centers or non-public schools. This year, the Department has also created conditions for non-public schools to enroll students according to the maximum wishes of the school instead of limiting the quota as before.

PV:In addition to the 10th grade entrance exam, the entrance exam for Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted and the entrance exam for ethnic minority high schools also have adjustments in the admission process. Could you elaborate on the adjustments to this year's exam? Currently, there is information that the province has allowed some schools in the province to directly admit some candidates with international English certificates. What does this mean, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa:Not from this year but from the previous school year, the Department has made adjustments to the 10th grade entrance exam. For example, if in previous years, the Department only reserved 10% for ethnic minority candidates in favorable areas to register for provincial ethnic minority boarding schools, this year this rate has increased to 40% (at the provincial ethnic minority boarding school) and from 20 - 30% depending on the area (at the ethnic minority boarding school No. 2) to increase enrollment opportunities and improve the quality of candidates admitted to schools. The remaining number will be for candidates in particularly difficult areas.

A lesson of students at Thanh Chuong 1 High School. Photo: My Ha

The 2020 high school graduation exam basically retains its original nature.

PV:The 2019-2020 school year is the first year the Ministry of Education and Training organizes the High School Graduation Exam. So compared to previous exams, what changes are there in this year's exam and has the nature of the exam really changed?

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa:According to the Government's direction, because this year the entire education sector is heavily affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, the National High School Exam has been changed to the High School Graduation Exam.

In general, the exam also has many new features in the organization but increased autonomy in localities and the Provincial People's Committee takes full responsibility for directing the organization of the exam, the exam time is shortened to 2 days and the number of exam subjects is also reduced to 4 subjects. Higher education institutions do not participate in the exam supervision and grading but only participate in inspection teams, check and supervise the stages of the exam. This year's exam will also compare and analyze the exam results and high school learning results of candidates to bring the exam back to its true nature and serve as a basis for schools to adjust the organization of teaching and learning effectively and seriously.

A lesson of students at Do Luong 1 High School. Photo: My Ha

PV:In this exam, the delegation of autonomy to localities is clearly defined. So up to this point, how has Nghe An prepared for the exam to take place seriously, safely, and in accordance with regulations? What plans has the Department also built if the exam takes place in unusual weather?

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa:Nghe An is one of the four provinces with the highest number of candidates registering for the High School Graduation Exam in the country with nearly 32,000 candidates. In order for the exam to take place seriously and in accordance with regulations, the province has established a Provincial Exam Steering Committee, headed by a leader of the Provincial People's Committee. At the same time, specific tasks have been assigned to the members of the steering committee to avoid overlap and to comply with the functions and tasks of relevant departments and branches. Currently, the Department has also selected a team to participate in exam service work in accordance with regulations and with good qualities, ethics, and many years of experience in exam supervision.
This year's exam will be extended until mid-August, which is also the time when the storm and flood season is coming. Therefore, we have also developed preventive plans such as a safe location for the exam council, a backup exam location, and ensuring all favorable conditions. In addition, we will continue to review the facilities and conditions for the exam, such as camera systems, scanners, and multiple-choice answer sheets. With many years of experience in organizing the National High School Exam, I believe that this year's exam will be carried out well, ensuring seriousness, safety, and compliance with the regulations.

Review lesson for students of Thanh Chuong 1 High School. Photo: My Ha

Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa:In the past, the Department has issued guidance documents and developed review content to suit the target audience. At the same time, the Department has also inspected the review of schools, thereby advising schools to review well and effectively. We also recommend that schools increase equipment such as fans to help students review conveniently, and adjust review time such as teaching earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon to help candidates review conveniently.

Before the 2020 High School Graduation Exam, I recommend that students maintain good health, closely follow the Department's instructions and closely follow the content and structure of the exam, and especially through the sample exam, students need to analyze, dissect, and ask teachers to review in order to review effectively. During the review process, knowledge must be synthesized in a sequence and seamlessly so that learning and reviewing can achieve high results. Candidates also need to be calm and confident when entering the exam room, because this is a very important factor in determining a successful exam.

PV:Thank you!