Unexpectedly removing the admission combination for block C: Request for explanation

The Ministry of Education and Training requires universities to be accountable when there are changes related to admission methods and combinations.

The suspension of admission to the traditional block C00 (also known as block C) is explained by universities as being consistent with training practices, school goals, and regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).

Candidates and parents do not agree

This year, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU Hanoi has stopped considering the C00 combination in 17 majors. The University of Law - VNU Hanoi also said it will no longer consider law majors using this combination. Some other universities have announced that they will stop or limit the consideration of the C00 group for majors in journalism, law, psychology, public relations, etc.

Ms. Dang Thi Thu Huong, Vice Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi , said that the above decision is based on the orientation of innovation in high school exam subjects, according to the admission requirements of each major and the foreign language output standards of the Ministry of Education and Training, as well as to implement the strategy of internationalizing training programs.

The university's explanation did not receive consensus from candidates and parents. Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, whose child registered for admission to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU Hanoi this year, was upset that the school had "ambushed" candidates. "The school may not recruit block C00 but needs to notify in advance from the beginning of the school year so that candidates have time to prepare," said Mr. Dung.

An admissions expert believes that the sudden announcement to stop considering group C is unfair to candidates, especially those in rural and mountainous areas. According to the new general education program, from grade 10, students are oriented to university admission based on the exam group and study elective subjects according to their abilities. They have also registered for the graduation exam since April. "Now that the graduation exam date is near, if schools just announced to stop considering group C00, how can candidates react in time, especially those in difficult areas?" - this expert raised the issue.

Dr. Nguyen Quoc Anh, Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, said that the fact that many universities suddenly removed the traditional admission combination C00 at the time when candidates had registered for the high school graduation exam subjects could put candidates in a passive position because they had chosen graduation exam subjects suitable for the traditional combination and could not change the exam subjects. This also limited the admission opportunities of those who only focused on reviewing subjects in the C00 combination. On the other hand, when the traditional combination was eliminated, candidates would have to switch to another combination, leading to fiercer competition in the remaining combinations. Many students would have to adjust their review plans, even though there was not much time left, leading to great psychological pressure.

The Ministry of Education and Training directed universities to review admission methods to ensure fairness and not affect candidates' rights. Photo: HUU HUNG

No disadvantage for candidates

Dr. Le Viet Khuyen - Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges - said that the announcement by some universities to remove the traditional admission combination C00 right before the 2025 high school graduation exam, the first exam under the new General Education Program issued in 2018, is a puzzle, causing disadvantages for candidates using the results of the high school graduation exam for university admission. "The adjustment and change of admission combinations must be announced by schools early so that candidates can be proactive because they still have the habit of choosing and reviewing for exams according to traditional, key combinations such as A00, B00, C00 and D00" - Dr. Khuyen commented.

Mr. Le Viet Khuyen also requested the Ministry of Education and Training, as a state management agency, to require universities to announce early if they change their enrollment plans and admission combinations to ensure the legitimate rights of students. "University autonomy must also be associated with accountability, must originate from the interests of learners, and must take learners as the center, not doing whatever they want!" - Dr. Khuyen emphasized.

A representative of a university in Ho Chi Minh City stated that some universities may have legitimate reasons for deciding to abandon the traditional C00 admission combination, such as recruiting students with the most suitable training criteria in the context of many changes in society and professions. However, changing the admission plan requires a roadmap and early information for candidates. "Candidates who choose to study subjects in high school certainly have plans to apply for admission after high school. If the change is too sudden, they will lose their opportunities," said the representative of this university.

In response to public opinion, on the afternoon of June 6, the Ministry of Education and Training sent a document to training institutions regarding the review and announcement of enrollment information. The Ministry of Education and Training requested universities, academies, and colleges to review admission methods and combinations in accordance with the programs, majors, and groups of training majors for each method to ensure fairness and not affect the rights of candidates at the time they have completed registration for the 2025 high school graduation exam. In particular, schools are responsible for explaining any changes related to admission methods and combinations.

For data used for admission such as 2025 high school graduation exam scores, graduation candidates' academic results, competency assessment test scores, thinking assessment test scores, etc., relevant units provide them on the system according to the regulations in the admission regulations. The head of the unit is responsible for explaining the contents of the training institution's admission information and information related to the training institution's admission work fully and accurately.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, the subject chosen by the most candidates for the 2025 graduation exam is history with 499,357 candidates, of which 484,084 candidates took the exam under the 2018 General Education Program and 15,273 candidates took the exam under the 2006 General Education Program. Next is geography with 494,081 candidates, including 479,585 candidates taking the exam under the 2018 General Education Program and 14,496 candidates taking the exam under the 2006 General Education Program.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bat-ngo-bo-to-hop-xet-tuyen-khoi-c-yeu-cau-giai-trinh-1962506062136332.htm