The Ministry of Education and Training has proposed to the Government that the high school graduation exam be conducted in four subjects, including two compulsory subjects (Vietnamese Literature and Mathematics) and two elective subjects from among foreign languages, history, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, economics and law education, informatics, and technology.
Schools are changing their teaching and learning methods to align with the 2018 General Education Program and the high school graduation exam starting in 2025.
TEST FOCUSES ON APPLICATION SKILLS
Leaders of high schools in Ho Chi Minh City expressed their agreement with this proposal and stated that it is necessary to develop teaching and learning plans now to meet the objectives of the 2018 General Education Program so that students can complete high school with the best results and have an advantage when participating in university and college entrance exams.
Mr. Do Minh Hoang, Director of Chu Van An Continuing Education Center (District 5, Ho Chi Minh City), said that to best prepare students, schools and teachers need to start planning now to formulate test requirements that align with the orientation and objectives of the 2018 General Education Program. Specifically, the requirements of the tests should aim to assess the knowledge and skills outlined in the program. In addition, they should promote individual abilities through the application of knowledge and the solving of specific problems. According to Mr. Hoang, while the program is unified, each school and student uses different textbooks, so general knowledge assessments like before are no longer feasible.
Regarding students studying different textbooks, Ms. Hoang Thi Hao, Principal of Dao Son Tay High School (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City), stated: "The test question matrix will ensure that the required knowledge is achieved, and will test more on practicality and the application of knowledge to solve specific problems."
Mr. Nguyen Duy Tuyen, Principal of Nguyen Khuyen High School (District 10, Ho Chi Minh City), said that after students choose their exam subjects, teachers will focus on guiding students to apply their knowledge to solve practical situations and requirements as outlined in the curriculum, rather than simply "testing" how much knowledge they have grasped as in the past.
The principal of Nguyen Khuyen High School added that the school will have directives and plans. When the assessment system no longer uses core and elective subjects, teachers and students will have to change their teaching and learning methods to equip students with fundamental knowledge and basic skills. Therefore, tests will not focus on academic knowledge but will emphasize the application of knowledge and skills in problem-solving and practical application. With this knowledge, students will have many ways to apply it to solve exercises… to meet the requirements of the exam after three years of implementing the new curriculum.
Meanwhile, Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), said that while priority will naturally be given to exam subjects, for the remaining subjects, teachers and students must still ensure that the curriculum and required knowledge and skills are covered to prevent students from focusing too much on one subject and refusing to study unless there is an exam.
If the high school graduation exam consists of 4 subjects, then a foreign language will be one of the two optional subjects.
EARLY CAREER GUIDANCE
Mr. Pham Le Thanh, a teacher at Nguyen Hien High School (District 11, Ho Chi Minh City), believes that with the current high school graduation exam format of 2 compulsory subjects and 2 elective subjects, students need to research and assess their strengths in relation to their future career paths in order to choose and build a foundation of learning and training in subjects that support those career aspirations.
For example, if their career path is related to languages, students need to develop their foreign language skills and may choose English along with another subject. If they have a talent and their career path relates to the social sciences , they can specialize in and study the foundational knowledge of history and geography. If they have an inclination towards natural sciences or engineering, students will invest in and further develop their skills in physics and chemistry.
However, Mr. Thanh also noted that regardless of whether students choose a field related to natural sciences or social sciences, tools such as computer skills and foreign languages are always necessary for the current strong trend of integration and digital transformation. Therefore, students should not underestimate these subjects but should have a plan to equip themselves with knowledge in high school so that they can develop further in higher levels of education.
Meanwhile, according to the Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School, career guidance for students will be implemented as soon as they are admitted to grade 10, not waiting until they register for the high school graduation exam. Thus, students will choose subjects they enjoy, excel in, and that are suitable for university admission combinations, preparing for the high school graduation exam right from grade 10. Based on this reality, high school leaders also requested that universities announce their admission combinations early.
Encourage awarding bonus points for foreign languages and release sample exam questions early.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), believes that foreign languages are skills and essential tools that students should naturally prepare for, and shouldn't be dismissed as something to be taken lightly just because it becomes an elective subject. He suggests that students only study if there's an exam. However, he also proposes that the Ministry consider awarding bonus points to students who, despite not choosing a foreign language as a subject, achieve high scores in internationally recognized and valuable certificates. This could encourage students to better develop their foreign language skills.
Meanwhile, the principal of Dao Son Tay High School, Hoang Thi Hao, said that teachers are eagerly awaiting the sample exam questions for the 2025 high school graduation exam. Because the goal of the 2018 General Education Program is to develop competencies, provide education focused on practical application and career orientation, and given the vastness of the real world, teachers need a clear understanding to plan and prepare students most effectively.
Source link
Comment (0)