Few people study biology, is the health sector's recruitment source 'threatened'?

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, from 342,301 candidates with admission scores for the B00 subject group (math, chemistry, biology) in 2024, the number decreased to 46,607 in 2025. In the 2025-2026 school year, at some high schools, the number of students choosing to study biology was also much lower than other subjects.

This raises concerns that the number of traditional B00 candidates is decreasing, which will threaten the recruitment source for many majors, especially the health sector.

SOME SCHOOLS CANNOT OPEN SPECIALIZED CLASSES IN MATH, CHEMISTRY, AND BIOLOGY

Master Nguyen Thanh Hai, Principal of Truong Dinh High School, Long Thuan Ward, Dong Thap (formerly Go Cong City, Tien Giang ), informed: "This year, the school has a total of 15 classes, each class has 45 students. Compared to 2024, the number of natural subject classes decreased by 2 while social subjects increased by 4. Of which, the number of students choosing biology is very small. The school built a class oriented to the health sector, natural group 3 (chemistry, biology, physics, technology) with the study topics of math, chemistry, biology for students who want to apply for this group to register, but there were only 28 students, so there were not enough students to open the class. In the end, the school had to transfer 28 students to natural group 1 (physics, chemistry, biology, information technology) with the study topics of math, physics, chemistry".

Ms. Le Thi Thanh Nga, Vice Principal of An Nhon High School No. 1, Gia Lai (formerly Binh Dinh), also said that very few students of the school choose biology. The school has 5 natural science classes with subjects of math, physics, chemistry, but no classes specializing in math, chemistry, or biology.

At Ernst Thälmann High School, Ben Thanh Ward (old District 1), Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Hung Khuong, Principal of the school, informed: "In the 2025-2026 school year, grade 10 has 12 classes. Notably, physics has 323 students choosing it, accounting for more than 60% of the total number of grade 10 students. The main reason is that physics is easy to combine with other subjects to form many university entrance exam combinations. Among the 10 classes with subject combinations leaning towards natural sciences, combinations with physics and chemistry account for about 50% of the classes, with biology being less."

Health students in a practical class. For many years, this major has recruited mainly the B00 group (math, chemistry, biology).

PHOTO: NGOC ANH

In the 2025-2026 school year, 10th grade students at Nguyen Tat Thanh High School, Binh Phu Ward (former District 6), Ho Chi Minh City, chose the two subjects of physics and computer science the most. Meanwhile, the two subjects of biology and chemistry decreased compared to the previous school year. Students at Hung Vuong High School, Cho Lon Ward (former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City, chose subjects with no big difference between natural subjects and social subjects, but biology was less than other natural subjects.

MANY SCHOOLS EXPAND THEIR ADMISSIONS

Commenting on the fact that fewer and fewer 10th graders are choosing to study the B group (math, chemistry, biology) and the number of candidates choosing to take the biology exam is decreasing, Professor and Doctor Tran Diep Tuan, Chairman of the University Council of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said: "The reason may be due to the current admission methods of some universities. Many non-public schools not only consider admission in the B group for health majors, but also consider admission in many other subject combinations such as A00, A01, B03, B08... Candidates do not need to study and take the biology exam to be able to enter the health major, so they do not choose to study biology." According to Professor and Doctor Tuan, admission policies and regulations will determine the behavior of learners.

"The fact that few candidates choose biology is not affected by large and traditional universities, because the quota at these schools each year is only a few thousand, and the competition is still very high. In addition, candidates who aim to apply for "hot" majors such as medicine and dentistry at these schools are required to study math, chemistry, and biology from the beginning, because those majors only consider the B00 combination. Candidates who feel they cannot get into these schools will choose to study health majors at schools with lower scores or can use many combinations other than the B00 group to apply," said Professor, Dr. Tran Diep Tuan.

Professor Nguyen Quoc Huy, Principal of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said that the training majors in the health sciences are currently quite diverse, the main one is the B00 subject group, but not only the traditional B group, the pharmaceutical industry still recruits students from the A00 group and some majors such as applied psychology - clinical psychology will have a wider recruitment scope than the B00 group. This is also the reason why candidates do not only choose chemistry and biology to consider the B00 group.

Photo: TN

HARD STUDY, HIGH COST BUT LOW SALARY?

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Dung, Vice Principal of Cuu Long University, said one of the reasons for the decrease in health sector recruitment could be because medicine is difficult, the study time of medicine lasts at least 6 years, but after graduation, the salary is only equivalent to that of 3-4 year majors. "Not to mention the tuition fees for general medicine and dentistry, some schools can cost up to 500 million VND, many times higher than other majors. Education and health are two special fields. While the policy for education has changed, pedagogical students are exempted from tuition fees, provided with living expenses, and teachers' salaries have improved, the medical field has not. Only when the policy for the health sector changes like pedagogy can we hope to attract students. Otherwise, in the future, the risk of recruitment for health sectors will decrease even more," Dr. Dung shared.

Regarding this issue, Professor Nguyen Quoc Huy also said that the healthcare system is changing, however, the jobs and regimes in the healthcare system need to be quickly adjusted to become more attractive in the eyes of the people.

"Health and education are the most important social public sectors that need to be given due attention and investment. I also want to emphasize the importance of macro policies that should be implemented for 20-30 years, not just 10 years. Incentives are just one aspect, but the important thing is to let people see the material and spiritual value of the education and health sectors, especially the health sector when it has a direct impact on health care. At the same time, all parties must create a healthy working environment in the health system," emphasized Prof. Dr. Huy.

Grade 9 students attend a grade 10 admissions consultation session. Students choose their subject combinations from grade 10, so if they do not receive thorough consultation and good career orientation, it will be difficult for them to choose the right subjects that match their abilities and university admission goals.

Photo: Dao Ngoc Thach

C NEED CAREER CONSULTATION FOR STUDENTS FROM GRADE 10

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Dung said that students choose their subject combinations from grade 10, so if they do not receive careful advice and good career orientation, it will be difficult for them to choose the right subjects that match their abilities and university admission goals.

"At 15 years old, students have not yet fully determined their interests, abilities, and goals. Many students are still uncertain about their career choices at 18 years old. Not all parents are knowledgeable enough to guide them, so the choice of subjects for 10th grade students is at risk of being influenced by objective and emotional factors. For example, this year, students find that the graduation exam for this subject is difficult and that subject is easy, so they will choose subjects with the thought of choosing the easy subject to get a high score, without thinking about whether that subject is their forte or not, whether it is in the admission group for the major they are planning to study in the future or not...", Dr. Dung commented.

Therefore, Dr. Vo Van Tuan, Vice Principal of Van Lang University, assessed that career counseling for 10th graders is more important than admission counseling. "High schools and universities need to show students clearly which career fields they are suitable for, which majors can do the job they want, and which subjects they need to choose to study in order to be considered for admission later. For example, if you want to study medicine, you must choose chemistry and biology. If you love and intend to study health, do not choose it just because this year's biology exam is difficult. On the contrary, you need to invest more time in math, chemistry, and biology," Dr. Tuan shared.

The number of candidates taking the 3 subjects of group B00 is less than the target.

It is known that in 2025, the total target for the health sector is 53,000 (data from the Department of Science, Technology and Training, Ministry of Health). Only over 46,000 candidates took the exam in all three subjects: math, chemistry, and biology. Meanwhile, the lowest threshold to ensure the quality of the health sector's input is 17 points, with only nearly 29,000 candidates passing.

The quota for medical majors is about 15,000-17,000, of which medicine is about 12,000. The floor score for general medicine, dentistry and traditional medicine is 20.5 points, but only 14,690 candidates passed.

These figures show that the recruitment source for the health sector according to the key subject group B00 is much less than the target.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/it-nguoi-hoc-mon-sinh-nguon-tuyen-nganh-suc-khoe-co-bi-de-doa-18525081919172467.htm