Should we abolish the high school graduation exam and only keep the university entrance exam?

Some opinions suggest abolishing the high school graduation exam and only keeping the university entrance exam. However, the Government believes that these two exams have different goals and functions.

On December 4, the National Assembly Standing Committee gave opinions on explaining, accepting and revising draft laws and resolutions related to the education sector.

The 52nd session of the National Assembly Standing Committee

PHOTO: GIA HAN

During the discussion of the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law, there were opinions suggesting not to organize the high school graduation exam, only keeping a highly differentiated university entrance exam to select people with the capacity to study at university, and at the same time requesting the Ministry of Education and Training to stipulate how to organize the exam.

Meanwhile, many opinions agree to maintain the current high school graduation exam to ensure both the graduation assessment function and the provision of data for university admission. However, it is necessary to improve the way questions are created, graded and results are analyzed to accurately reflect the quality of teaching and learning.

Maintaining the high school graduation exam is necessary

Explaining the above content, the Government said that maintaining the high school graduation exam is necessary in the current period.

This exam aims to assess the level of output standards of the general education program, ensure uniformity in graduation recognition nationwide, and provide reliable data to monitor and evaluate the quality of education between regions and serve university admissions.

Maintaining examinations contributes to ensuring objectivity, fairness, and discipline within the education system.

Regarding the proposal to improve the examination method, the Government has directed the Ministry of Education and Training to continue reviewing and perfecting the question-making, grading and analysis of results; increasing the application of technology and reducing pressure on students, institutionalizing these contents in the Regulations on High School Graduation Examinations.

Regarding the proposal to abolish the graduation exam and only keep the university entrance exam, the Government recognizes that the two exams have different goals and functions.

University admissions are a highly differentiated activity under the autonomy of higher education institutions; institutions can use the results of the high school graduation exam, organize their own entrance exams, or apply appropriate selection methods.

Therefore, maintaining the high school graduation exam is in line with the requirements of quality management and ensuring fairness in general education.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son

PHOTO: GIA HAN

Pilot high school graduation exam on computer

Also related to the high school graduation exam, there are suggestions to increase the application of information technology and digital transformation in the stages of creating questions, invigilation and grading, ensuring transparency and fairness.

The Government said it has directed the Ministry of Education and Training to continue reviewing the Minister's circular on the High School Graduation Exam Regulations to regulate the above content.

Currently, the Government has also assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to develop a project to organize high school graduation exams on computers, which will be piloted in a number of localities that meet the information infrastructure requirements, and then deployed nationwide, ensuring transparency and fairness.

Notably, there is a proposal to consider keeping the authority to grant high school diplomas for the director of the Department of Education and Training.

Explaining this content, the Government said that the draft law stipulates the assignment of authority to principals to implement the policy of decentralization and delegation of power in education management, associated with enhancing the responsibility of educational institutions in organizing teaching and learning, assessing and recognizing students' learning outcomes.

The above regulation also ensures consistency with international practice and is suitable for lower levels of education, which have switched to the form of confirming program completion instead of granting degrees.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-nen-bo-ky-thi-tot-nghiep-thpt-chi-giu-lai-ky-thi-dai-hoc-185251204144410352.htm