Combined entrance exam for grade 10: Going against the policy of reducing exam pressure?

(Baonghean) - The sudden news that a combination subject will be implemented in this year's 10th grade entrance exam has made parents whose children will be entering 9th grade this year confused, worried, and feel that their children are unlucky because they have to be "guinea pigs".

The sudden news about the implementation of a combination subject in the 10th grade entrance exam this year is making parents whose children will be entering 9th grade this year like us these days feel confused, worried and feel that our children are unlucky because they have to be "guinea pigs".

The Department of Education and Training said that to implement this combined exam, the Department had prepared 3 years ago. So in the past 3 years, what has the Department done? Has it organized a workshop to gather opinions from experts, managers, teachers... to discuss and carefully find the most optimal solution and appropriate implementation time and roadmap?

Nghe An candidates attend the 10th grade entrance exam.

The new school year is approaching, with all the troubles and worries that teachers and students of grade 9 are facing, if this school year implements the combined exam, teachers and students will be forced to both march and line up to keep up with the policy. Avoiding lopsided learning is the right direction, we fully support it but it takes time and a roadmap to implement.

The project of the Department of Education and Training has been approved by the Provincial People's Committee. Although the Department has not yet announced the specific plan, please help us show us a method so that a student like my child, who is only good at Chemistry and Biology in grades 7 and 8, and Physics and English are only average for both years, can be good at Physics, English and Geography in grade 9. And now, the time and mind to focus on Chemistry and Biology will be reduced, because they have to focus on other subjects.

The children are of middle school age but are under pressure to prepare for this new type of exam. They will have to cram as much as they can, and will certainly end up knowing everything, but in reality, knowing nothing completely.

Knowledge is a gradual accumulation process, not something that can be acquired in a short time. If you want to build a high-rise building, the foundation must be solid. In the coming time, after the announcement of the Department of Education and Training, teachers will definitely have to participate in training to change teaching to the multiple choice test of the combined subject. Thus, the first semester time fund will probably be lost.

How will schools respond? How will students change direction when they don’t have time to review and get used to the new exam structure, so how can they be in the right frame of mind to take the exam?

One of the goals that the education sector aims for is comprehensive education, which focuses on capacity and qualities but makes students focus too much on knowledge.

Before the high school exam, secondary schools already have a graduation exam for 9th grade students to qualify for the high school exam, so it is not necessary for the Department of Education and Training to conduct an additional exam with such a large volume. Doing so can be said to go against the policy of education reform, reducing exam pressure as directed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Nguyen Thanh Trung

(Cua Nam Ward, Vinh City)