The junior high school diploma will be abolished starting in 2026.

(NLĐO) - On the morning of December 10, at its 10th session, the National Assembly voted to approve the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law. The law will take effect from January 1, 2026.

The recently passed law stipulates that diplomas in the national education system are documents in paper or numerical form issued to students upon graduation from high school; and to students who have completed educational programs, training programs, and met the output standards of the corresponding level in vocational education and higher education.

Minister Nguyen Kim Son reports on the explanations, feedback, and revisions to the draft law.

Diplomas from the national education system include high school diplomas, vocational high school diplomas, intermediate diplomas, college diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and diplomas from specialized training programs in certain fields and disciplines.

Thus, compared to current regulations, the amended law has abolished the issuance of junior high school (THCS) graduation certificates. Instead, students who have completed the primary education program and the junior high school education program, and meet the requirements stipulated by the Minister of Education and Training, will have their academic records certified by the school principal as having completed the program.

Students who have completed the high school education program and meet the requirements prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training are eligible to take the exam. If they meet the requirements, they will be awarded a high school diploma by the school principal.

If a student does not take the exam or fails to meet the requirements, the school principal will issue a certificate of completion of the general education program.

The certificate of completion of general education program is used to register for the high school graduation exam when the learner has a need or to study vocational education and is used in specific cases according to the provisions of law.

The law also clearly stipulates that diplomas and certificates issued by educational institutions of all types and forms of training within the national education system have equal legal validity.

Before the National Assembly voted to approve the draft law, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son stated that the Government had agreed to stipulate that no junior high school diplomas would be awarded, replacing the phrase "completed junior high school program or equivalent" throughout the entire draft law.

At the same time, the law stipulates that diplomas and certificates are issued in paper or digital form, to promote the implementation of policies on digital transformation in education.

In addition, the draft standardizes the term "diploma of specialized training programs in certain specific fields" instead of "equivalent diploma," accurately reflecting the nature of degrees such as those of doctors, pharmacists, engineers, and architects; ensuring consistency with the draft Law on Higher Education (amended) and aligning with international practices.

The amended law also clearly stipulates that the Minister of Education and Training manages diplomas and certificates of the national education system to ensure flexibility and timely adjustments according to practical requirements, while maintaining the uniformity, interconnectedness, and transparency of the system. For postgraduate specialized training programs in the health sector that award degrees, such as residency programs and specialist programs, the Ministry of Health will provide guidance on organization and management, in accordance with the provisions of the draft amended Law on Higher Education.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bo-bang-tot-nghiep-thcs-tu-nam-2026-196251210124604369.htm