Delegates felt heartbroken when seeing students listless and lethargic due to exam pressure.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga felt heartbroken when talking about the pressure of exams on 15-year-old students. Photo: Quochoi.vn

On the morning of December 4, continuing the 10th Session, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the work reports for the 2021-2026 term of the President and the Government.

Speaking at the hall, delegate Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga ( Quang Tri National Assembly Delegation) highly appreciated the important results of the past term.

Commenting on the field of education and training, delegate Tuyet Nga said the results achieved in this field demonstrate the Government’s efforts, seriousness, innovation and responsibility. The results also demonstrate the determination of the Minister and the Ministry of Education and Training.

However, delegates said it is necessary to clarify the outstanding achievements that previous terms have not achieved, as this term has made important strides in strategic thinking on education.

Specifically, the Government has advised the Central Executive Committee to issue Resolution 71 on breakthroughs and development of education and training, placing education in a strategic breakthrough position, directly linked to national competitiveness and aspirations for national development.

The Government also submitted to the Central and National Assembly legislation on universalizing preschool education for children aged 3-5 years old and tuition-free policy.

These are humane policies, demonstrating great determination to ensure education and reduce financial burden for millions of families.

However, according to this delegate, in the Government's report, there are 5 lines devoted to the limitations of vocational education, the problems are still too general.

Stating the major concern and also the wish of many voters, delegate Tuyet Nga said that it is the burden of exams due to the issue of post-secondary education streaming that is still inadequate in awareness, viewpoint and implementation.

“The streaming is misunderstood and wrong in practice. Those who fail the high school entrance exam will go to vocational school. Streaming is associated with failure, not a choice. It is a forced streaming method. Instead, those who have strengths and a clear career orientation will choose the right path,” the delegate said.

The delegate added that the 10th grade entrance exam is becoming a “miniature national exam” with heavy pressure. Meanwhile, high school is a general education level, meaning that all students have the right to study.

The low rate of students entering high school in some localities shows that in the past we have not properly ensured access to 12 years of general education.

“Looking at the exhausted, dull faces of 15-year-old children due to exam pressure; reading the desperate letters when they failed the high school entrance exam is heartbreaking,” delegate Tuyet Nga emphasized.

From the above issues, delegates recommended that the Government needs to take immediate action, as a way to "make it free for high school students ".

Specifically, in the 2026-2027 school year, open the door to high school, invest systematically in vocational high schools and respect learners' right to choose.

It is necessary to improve exams and adjust the 10th grade admission method to reduce pressure and create opportunities for students.

Streaming must be based on voluntariness and ability, not turning streaming into a barrier from grade 9. Build streaming based on the right to study, ensuring enough space for public high school students , so that students are not forced to stream.

Source: https://laodong.vn/thoi-su/dai-bieu-nhoi-long-khi-thay-hoc-sinh-bo-pho-do-dan-vi-ap-luc-thi-cu-1620029.ldo