Proposal for high school graduation exam with 2-3 compulsory subjects

Professor Do Duc Thai, editor-in-chief of the new general education program's Math subject, proposed that the high school graduation exam should only include 2-3 compulsory subjects for simplicity.

The proposal was made by Mr. Thai, head of the Mathematics - Information Technology Department, Hanoi National University of Education, at the conference summarizing the organization of the high school graduation exam of the Ministry of Education and Training , on September 20.

Mr. Thai proposed two options for the graduation exam. Option 1 includes two compulsory subjects: Math and Literature. Option 2 includes three compulsory subjects: Math, Literature, and Foreign Language. In addition, the exam will include two other subjects chosen according to the student's strengths, suitable for career-oriented learning in the generaleducation program.

In response to questions about whether or not to organize a national high school graduation exam, Mr. Thai pointed out that in the world , many countries have this exam, but there are also places that do not.

In Russia, candidates take two compulsory subjects: Russian and Mathematics. If they wish to continue their studies at university or college, they must take the subjects required by the respective university or college system.

In China, high school graduation exams require three compulsory subjects: Mathematics, Chinese, English, and one elective subject. Australia does not have a national graduation exam, but each school organizes its own exam to recognize graduation.

In the US, only eight states maintain high school graduation exams. Most of the remaining states award diplomas to students based on their records of ability. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea do not have graduation exams.

"Thus, each country has a different way of testing or considering graduation, there is no right or wrong, it just serves the most effective purpose of education of that country," said Mr. Thai.

However, this expert believes that the common point of all countries is that the method of exam and recognition of high school graduation is compact, respects students, and promotes students' strengths and abilities. In Vietnam, the Government also requires that the high school graduation exam must be organized in a compact way, reducing costs for society while still ensuring reliability and objectivity.

Therefore, he proposed to only take 2-3 compulsory subjects and two optional subjects.

Professor Do Duc Thai speaks at the conference on September 20. Photo: MOET — Professor Do Duc Thai speaks at the conference on September 20. Photo: *MOET*

Regarding subjects in the 2018 general education program, whether they appear in the high school graduation exam or not, according to Mr. Thai, the Ministry and schools need to build trust in the value of the subjects, while at the same time innovating the content, assessment and teaching methods, and not using administrative measures to force students to take the exam.

In addition, Mr. Thai said that it is necessary to follow the principle of learning what you take the test, not learning what you take the test.

Mr. Thai also emphasized that the results of the high school graduation exam provide data for university and vocational education admissions and do not play a direct role in admissions. The Ministry should encourage schools to be completely autonomous in admissions, according to the requirements of each school.

2025 is the time when the first batch of students following the new general education program will take the graduation exam. At the end of August, the Department of Education and Training of provinces and cities surveyed teachers and high school leaders about the graduation exam plan from this year.

With option 1, students take four compulsory subjects: Math, Literature, Foreign Language, History; two elective subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Information Technology, Technology. Option 2 includes three compulsory subjects: Math, Literature, Foreign Language; two elective subjects from subjects already studied (including History).

On many student forums, the topic of the number of high school graduation exam subjects from 2025 has also been discussed, attracting thousands of opinions. Many of them want to reduce the pressure of graduation exams by reducing the number of compulsory exams. Meanwhile, teachers have mixed opinions on this matter.

Mr. Huynh Van Chuong, Director of the Department of Quality Management, Ministry of Education and Training, said that the Ministry has completed collecting opinions from departments and experts on the high school graduation exam plan. The Ministry is continuing to seek opinions from relevant departments and sectors before submitting it to the Government.

Regarding the exam plan from 2025, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong reminded localities to prepare students mentally so that they do not worry too much. He said the Ministry is actively perfecting the plan, doing it thoroughly with the motto: concise, no stress, no pressure, no cost, with a roadmap, with innovation but also inheritance and absorption.

Emphasizing that "if teaching and learning are good, any method will be ready", the Deputy Minister hopes that the Departments will do a good job of providing professional guidance in teaching and learning to schools and teachers.

Duong Tam

Source link