Students must be able to read 10 words in the textbook to be admitted to first grade?

Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Hieu's child was "tested" to read the words in the middle of a textbook - Photo provided by a local resident

On August 12, a parent in Thanh Son Ward (Phan Rang - Thap Cham City) told Tuoi Tre Online indignantly that early last month, when she brought her child to Thanh Son Primary School to register for first grade, the principal "tested" her on reading the textbooks. The parent expressed her anger because her child had not yet learned to read, so why was she forced to read the textbooks?

"Test" letters with students not yet in first grade

Ms. NTXH (in Thanh Son ward, Phan Rang - Thap Cham city) said that on August 1, she took her child to Thanh Son Primary School to complete the procedures to enter first grade according to the education program.

Here, the school principal directed a teacher to take a first grade textbook, open it to the middle, and ask Ms. H's child to read about 10 words.

"The principal said that if my child could read well, she would accept his application to enter first grade. But my child is not in first grade yet, so he can only try to read 6-7 words. The principal said he is still weak so she did not accept him," said Ms. H.

Ms. H. said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City, the economy was facing difficulties, so from the beginning of 2023, she returned to her hometown in Ninh Thuan to do business.

"In 2023, because I did not understand that I had to register my permanent residence for more than 6 months before I could send my child to school, I registered late, causing my child to be 1 year late in school. My child was born in 2017 and should have been in 2nd grade this year," Ms. H. shared.

Thanh Son Primary School, where the incident occurred - Photo: DUY NGOC

Request to be resolved before August 15

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Lam - principal of Thanh Son Primary School - explained that there had never been a reading regulation, but because she saw that Ms. H.'s child was born in 2017 and was one year late for first grade, she instructed the teacher to give her a book to try reading, and if it was okay, she would accept the application.

"We didn't have to test her reading, it was just a misunderstanding from the parents. The school is considering it and will have a plan to accept her early so she has the opportunity to go to school," said Ms. Lam.

Regarding this matter, Ms. Tran Thi Huong - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Phan Rang - Thap Cham City - said that she was aware of the matter. The Department is directing Thanh Son Primary School to urgently consider accepting the above case.

"I have asked the principal to quickly consider the child's application, and by August 15 at the latest, we must resolve the matter so that the child can go to school," said Ms. Huong.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-sinh-phai-doc-duoc-10-chu-trong-sach-giao-khoa-moi-nhan-ho-so-vao-lop-1-20240812105433092.htm