National Assembly Delegate: Heartbroken to see the faces of 14-15 year olds exhausted from exam pressure

The above content was mentioned by National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga ( Quang Tri delegation) when giving her opinion on the Government's term in the discussion session in the hall on the morning of December 4.

Appreciating many important results of the term, Ms. Nga said that it demonstrated the serious efforts, innovation spirit and responsibility of the Government, especially the dedication of the Minister of Education and Training.

However, delegates suggested emphasizing that the 2021-2026 term marks important steps forward in strategic thinking in education. Specifically, the Government 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.

In addition, the Government submitted to the Central Government and the National Assembly to legalize the universalization of preschool education for children aged 3-5 years old and the tuition-free policy.

" These are humane policies, demonstrating great determination in ensuring education and reducing financial burden for millions of families ," the Russian delegate emphasized.

Raising a major concern and top concern of voters, Ms. Nga acknowledged that the burden of exams due to the issue of post-secondary education streaming is still inadequate in awareness, viewpoint and implementation.

The Government's project "Career education and student orientation in general education for the 2018-2025 period" sets a target that by 2025, at least 40% of junior high school graduates will continue to study at vocational training institutions at elementary and intermediate levels.

" The streaming is misunderstood, implemented wrongly and is popular in practice in the direction that those who fail the high school entrance exam will go to vocational school. That means streaming is associated with failure, not choice. This is a forced streaming instead of those who have strengths and a clear career orientation choose the right path ," said Ms. Nga.

According to her, the 10th grade entrance exam is becoming a “miniature national exam” with heavy pressure. Meanwhile, high school is a general education level, meaning every student has the right to study.

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

" Looking at the tired, dull faces of 14-15 year old children under pressure from exams, reading the desperate letters of children who failed to pass the high school entrance exam, makes my heart ache. Another worrying paradox is happening: public exams are too stressful, many students, despite studying well, cannot pass the competitive exams, as a result, students from poor families are forced to go to private schools with tuition fees that are beyond their family's ability ," said the delegate.

From these painful realities, the female delegate recommended that in the 2026-2027 school year, it is necessary to open the door to high school, invest systematically in vocational high schools and respect the right to choose of learners.

She emphasized the viewpoint of improving exams and adjusting the 10th grade admission method to reduce pressure and create more opportunities for students.

" Streamlining must be based on voluntariness and ability, not turning streaming into a barrier from grade 9. Build streaming based on the right to study. Ensure enough places in public high schools so that students are not forced to stream ," said delegate Nga.

Comment (0)