High school graduation exam with 4 subjects: Reduce subjects, reduce pressure

(Baonghean) -The Ministry of Education and Training has just announced that the high school graduation exam will be shortened from 6 subjects to 4 subjects, making many parents and students excited. This change is part of the roadmap for fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training according to Resolution No. 29-NQ/TU of the Central Executive Committee (11th tenure)...

Teachers and students of Thai Hoa High School (Thai Hoa Town) learn about the graduation exam for the 2013-2014 school year.

The peak period of the graduation exam review, which is expected to start from this March, will certainly be lighter because although registration has not yet been carried out, up to 70% of the students in the class have chosen two elective subjects, Physics and Chemistry, two "favorite" subjects for students in group A. On the part of the students in the class, this information has also had some "impact" because at least on Tuesday morning, there were 6 requests for leave from tutoring sent to the homeroom teacher. These are students who previously intended to take the two groups A and B, but now there are only 4 subjects left for the graduation exam, so they only focus on the three main subjects. Truong Thi Tham shared: “I plan to take the entrance exam to Medical University, so my main exam block is block B: Math, Chemistry, Biology. I am taking Physics and intend to take block A because I think I will review for the graduation exam anyway. Now that I can choose two graduation exam subjects, I will choose Chemistry and Biology. My parents also support me because they do not want me to study too many subjects, take exams to too many schools without high efficiency.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Binh - Vice Principal of Thai Hoa High School, the decision of the Ministry of Education and Training to shorten the graduation exam from 6 subjects to 4 subjects is a correct policy, reducing the pressure of exams for students. In addition, combining the learning and training results of students in grade 12 with the results of 4 exams to recognize and classify graduation (according to the assessment weight of 50% + 50%) is also a positive form. That helps students be more aware throughout the learning process, not considering "heavy - light" the secondary and main subjects because when adding up the points, the opportunities of the subjects are equal. Currently, the school is waiting for the official document of the Ministry to plan to focus on reviewing for the graduation exam, but it can be affirmed that the graduation quality this year will not be lower than last year because students have longer review time and can choose the subjects that suit their abilities and levels.

The current 4-subject exam plan, including two basic, compulsory subjects, Literature and Mathematics, plus two elective subjects in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History and Foreign Languages, is considered a positive step. This approach maintains the graduation exam but also does not put too much pressure on students. Teachers of the subjects cannot be "negligent" or feel disadvantaged because it is very rare for all students to have the same elective subject. Students also "benefit" because according to current calculations, in fact, when taking the graduation exam, each student only has to practice 1 more subject. The remaining 3 subjects are obviously required if they want to take the university entrance exam. Using the transcript score to recognize and consider graduation is a form of maintaining comprehensive education, including subjects that have not been included in the graduation exam subjects such as Physical Education, Information Technology, Engineering, etc.

Regarding the education sector, according to Mr. Nguyen Hoang - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training: This form only reduces the burden on students, but the education sector will have more complications (such as preparing exam questions, extending the exam time for 8 subjects - in all 6 elective subjects). But this is a correct decision. In particular, letting students choose two elective subjects will help them orient their future subjects and majors according to their interests and abilities.

Currently, the Department of Education and Training is preparing to issue a plan to direct the review of graduation exams for 12th grade students. Accordingly, schools will be required to focus on directing professional groups and teams, proactively develop plans, in which the review content must closely follow the knowledge and skills standards of the high school program, focusing on the 12th grade program. Organize review sessions close to the target students, according to topics and themes, focusing on helping students review at different levels of understanding and applying knowledge, while paying attention to training students' test-taking skills. Focus on combining guidance for students to self-study, self-review in groups and review for the whole class in accordance with students' cognitive abilities. Balance review time to ensure students' health, not overloading students.

My Ha