Mr. HVĐ, a parent whose children are in grades 8 and 9 at Ly Thanh Tong Secondary School in Chanh Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, said he feels very worried seeing his eldest daughter studying so hard, with only two weeks left until the entrance exam for grade 10. However, Mr. HVĐ said: "I'm concerned about whether the grade 10 entrance exam will be fair across different localities in Ho Chi Minh City, given the significant differences in the quality of high schools in various areas. If the selection is based on 'proximity to home' or place of residence, wouldn't it be unfair to these students (whose academic abilities could potentially secure a spot at other schools if they took the grade 10 entrance exam)? Therefore, the city shouldn't completely abolish the grade 10 entrance exam; it should still be maintained to allow students to compete for places in high-quality schools with high student demand, while the rest should be selected based on academic records, similar to what we do when students enter grade 6."
The entrance exam for 10th grade has always been a major source of pressure for students and stress for parents, especially at top-tier schools.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
Mr. Nguyen Duy Linh, a parent whose child is in 11th grade at Nguyen Huu Cau High School in Ba Diem commune, Ho Chi Minh City, believes that entrance exams are the fairest way to protect students' rights and ensure that high schools can select students who have aspirations and whose education aligns with the school's development direction. He also suggests that to abolish entrance exams for 10th grade, the ideal conditions would require the city to build more high schools. Furthermore, the quality of these high schools must be uniform and equal. If there are still disparities in infrastructure and training quality between schools in different areas, then having students take entrance exams for top-ranked schools is necessary to motivate students with academic dreams and aspirations, and to demonstrate greater fairness in education .
From a different perspective, Master Tran Xuan Dieu, a parent in Ho Chi Minh City and also the Director and co-founder of RAB Consulting, an overseas education consulting company, argues: "Fairness cannot be determined by whether or not there is an entrance exam for 10th grade. That's only addressing the symptom. If, from the beginning, the approach to education, investment in education, and resources of most parents and localities were almost equal, with everyone thinking 'the best school is the one closest to home,' then the story would be different."
According to Ms. Dieu, student streaming is necessary not to select students for better or worse schools, but to help them choose the right career and educational paths.
What did the students say?
Luong Ngoc Dong Anh, a student in class 8/7 at Nguyen Du Secondary School, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, said: "I want the infrastructure and facilities of schools in Ho Chi Minh City to be adequate so that all students graduating from secondary school, when meeting the admission requirements, have the opportunity to attend public high schools, reducing financial pressure on parents and providing a stable and safe learning environment. Of course, specialized schools, high-quality schools, and schools with top admission scores in the city will need entrance exams so that all capable students can participate."
Le Phuc Khang, a 7th grade student from Ly Thanh Tong Secondary School, Chanh Hung Ward, shared: "I hope that in two years, we won't have to take the entrance exam for 10th grade. I feel that if admission to 10th grade is based on academic results from the four years of secondary school, it will reduce the pressure of studying and exams."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cac-dieu-kien-de-bo-thi-tuyen-lop-10-185260515224515398.htm
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