Ministry of Education blew the whistle after many provinces "crossed the line" to directly enroll 10th graders

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education and Training requires localities to direct and approve the plan and methods for admission to 10th grade in high schools in their areas in accordance with the regulations in consolidated document No. 03/VBHN-BGDĐT.

For provinces that have approved plans and methods for admission to grade 10 of high school that are not in accordance with regulations on direct admission and priority regimes, the Ministry requires adjustments to ensure compliance with regulations in Article 7, consolidated document No. 03/VBHN-BGDĐT and publicly announce to relevant subjects.

At the same time, provinces should proactively strengthen inspection, examination, and supervision of the implementation of the plan and methods for admitting students to grade 10 of high school in their areas.

In 2024, the Ministry of Education and Training will conduct inspections and audits of the 10th grade high school admission process in several localities.

Bộ Giáo dục tuýt còi sau khi nhiều tỉnh vượt rào tuyển thẳng lớp 10 - 1 — Candidates in the IELTS exam room (Photo: British Council).

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the admission process for 10th grade in high schools is carried out in accordance with the consolidated document of Circular No. 03/VBHN-BGDĐT dated May 3, 2019, issued by the Minister of Education and Training , promulgating the Regulations on Admission to Junior High Schools and High Schools.

Over the past period, most localities have complied with regulations regarding enrollment in junior high and high schools.

However, some localities have now approved plans and methods for admission to 10th grade in high schools for the 2024-2025 school year that include some provisions that are not in accordance with regulations regarding direct admission and preferential treatment (such as provincial-level student excellence competition awards, foreign language certificates).

Dan Tri reporter's recent observations show that although Circular 03/VBHN-BGDĐT promulgating the regulations on junior high school and high school admission issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on May 3, 2019 does not have any regulations allowing direct admission or additional points for candidates with international English certificates to non-specialized public grade 10, many localities still "overcome the barrier" with their own policies approved by the People's Committees of provinces and cities.

For example, provinces like Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Tuyen Quang have maintained this preferential policy for several years now.

In Hanoi , candidates applying to public high schools who do not qualify for bonus points or direct admission as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training will not receive any bonus points or preferential treatment.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong has proposed that the city and the Ministry allow direct admission or bonus points to grade 10 for candidates who won first, second, and third prizes in the city's excellent student contests in cultural and scientific subjects, but this has not been approved. Hanoi has not proposed preferential treatment for students with IELTS certificates.

The policy of using IELTS scores for admission to 10th grade is applied by some private high schools in Hanoi, such as Le Quy Don, Doan Thi Diem, Archimedes, and Nguyen Binh Khiem…

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City has not yet considered using international foreign language certificates for direct admission or as a priority bonus point in the 2024 entrance exam for 10th grade in public high schools.

This is because Ho Chi Minh City is a large city with a large number of secondary schools, a very high number of secondary school graduates, and students with very good English proficiency.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, maintaining the current forms of preferential bonus points is based on the regulations in Circular 03/2019 of the Ministry of Education and Training, ensuring the fairness and objectivity of the exam…

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