The "achievement-oriented" mentality persists.

(Baonghean) - Recently, the media has been continuously reporting on the case of illiterate students advancing to the 4th grade. The report highlighted five students at Thanh Van Primary School in Thanh Van commune, Thanh Chuong district (a school that achieved national standards in 2002) who were illiterate but still progressed through the grades. The article specifically mentioned the case of Nguyen Thi Le, who "attended summer classes to advance to the 4th grade but couldn't write or read properly." Le's father was upset, questioned the school, and requested that his daughter be allowed to repeat the 1st grade, but his request was denied. On Saturday evening, February 15th, VTV's news broadcast also featured a report on the case of primary school students at this school who were nearing the end of the 3rd grade program but were largely illiterate.

A third-grade student misspells most of the simple words intended for first-grade students. (Photo: VTV Online)

The situation in Thanh Van is not unique. More than six years ago, during a field trip, I happened to witness firsthand a classroom at a junior high school in Quy Hop, a mountainous area located less than 3 kilometers from the district center and the Department of Education and Training. Despite relatively convenient transportation, some students at this school, even in grade 9, still couldn't read or write fluently. People called them "students in the wrong class."

Thus, the incidents at Thanh Van Primary School in Thanh Chuong district, and even some secondary school students in Quy Hop district, are not isolated cases in Nghe An's education sector. It is known that similar incidents were recently discovered in Kien Giang and Bac Giang provinces. It can be affirmed that this negative consequence stems from the obsession with achieving high scores. Some argue that these problems demonstrate a particularly dangerous situation, leaving severe consequences for the younger generation and the community. This reflects the irresponsibility of those responsible for "nurturing future generations."

In recent times, the education sector has declared war on the obsession with achievements through the "Two No's" campaign. Although this has been a vigorous and widespread effort, instances of cheating still lurk, and the chronic problem of "achievement obsession" has yet to be completely eradicated.

Son Tu Phuoc