Exam anxiety

TP - In early June, more than 103,000 students in Hanoi, along with tens of thousands in Ho Chi Minh City and across the country, entered the entrance exam for 10th grade in public schools – an exam that seems like just a "change of grade level" but is actually one of the most fierce races in a child's educational journey.

With nearly 4,500 examination rooms, over 16,000 invigilators, 2,000 examiners, and nearly 600 inspectors in Hanoi alone, this exam clearly reflects the tension, cumbersome nature, and pressure of the current education system.

This year, the exam is taking place against the backdrop of ninth-grade students entering the entrance exam for the first time under the 2018 general education program – a program expected to fundamentally reform content, methods, and educational thinking. However, with reforms not yet in-depth and lacking synchronization, students are the ones bearing the brunt of the transition. Teachers are struggling with new teaching methods that haven't been fully mastered, and students haven't had time to adapt before facing an exam that will determine their future.

Moreover, the 10th grade entrance exam has long been a challenging task. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, only about 60-65% of students have the opportunity to attend public schools, while the rest are forced to choose alternative paths: private schools, continuing education, or vocational training. Every family understands that securing a place in a public high school is not just about education, but also about honor and psychological support. Therefore, this exam has become a nightmare not only for students but also for parents and teachers.

The issue of educational equity continues to be a persistent concern. When exams are standardized but learning conditions differ, "equality" remains elusive. Students in cities, with access to extra classes, exam preparation, technology, and high-quality teachers, inevitably have an advantage over those in suburban or outlying areas. In a system where exams remain the sole measure for selection and streaming, each half-hearted reform ultimately disadvantages students.

After passing the entrance exam for 10th grade, students continue their three-year high school race to take the university entrance exam. But after 12 years of studying and 4-5 years in university, many sadly realize that a university degree doesn't guarantee employment. Graduates working in ride-hailing services face high unemployment, while the economy still suffers from a shortage of skilled technical workers. The problem of "too many teachers, too few skilled workers" remains unresolved. While career guidance and streaming systems are frequently discussed, they lack the appeal and substance to build confidence and provide solid career choices for students after junior high school.

The 10th grade exam is therefore not just a test of knowledge, but a sign that the entire education system needs fundamental change. A proper and effective career guidance strategy is needed, one that is student-centered and ensures a solid future career path – instead of pushing everyone through the same narrow "door" and leaving individuals struggling between their diploma and their lives.

An advanced education is not one filled with exams, but one that helps each child recognize their own worth, develop according to their individual abilities, and not be left behind simply because of an exam.

Nguyen Tuan

Source: https://tienphong.vn/am-anh-thi-cu-post1749006.tpo