The amended Education Law abolishes the lower secondary school diploma, so will students still have to take the 10th grade entrance exam?

Following the news that the National Assembly has voted to pass the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law, effective from January 1, 2026, which officially abolishes the junior high school graduation certificate, many people are wondering whether the 10th grade entrance exam will still be required under this regulation.

The abolition of the lower secondary school diploma will not affect the 10th grade entrance exam.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

Accordingly, the amended Education Law stipulates that diplomas of the national education system are documents in paper or numerical form issued to learners upon graduation from high school; learners who complete educational programs, training programs and meet the output standards of the corresponding level in vocational education and higher education.

According to this law, diplomas of the national education system include high school diplomas, vocational high school diplomas, intermediate diplomas, college diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and diplomas from specialized training programs in certain specific fields and disciplines.

Thus, compared to current regulations, the newly amended law has abolished the issuance of junior high school graduation certificates. Instead, students who have completed the primary education program and the junior high school education program, and meet the requirements stipulated by the Ministry, will have their academic records certified by the school principal as having completed the program.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), said that abolishing the junior high school graduation certificate is a reasonable adjustment in the context of educational reform and the spirit of integration today.

Instead of spending extra time and administrative procedures printing, signing, and issuing diplomas, after students complete this level of education, the principal will confirm the completion of the lower secondary school program and record it directly in their end-of-year report card. This method reduces the paperwork burden on the school while ensuring full legal validity for students when continuing their education or participating in other educational programs.

According to the Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School, the change in the method of confirming completion of lower secondary education as described above does not affect the 10th grade entrance exam because it is an entrance exam. It is a completely independent exam with the same selection, examination, and evaluation criteria. Parents can rest assured that this is merely a streamlining of procedures and will not impact the rights or educational opportunities of their children.

It is known that in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Education and Training has released information regarding the organization of the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2026-2027 school year. The department's leaders stated that the 10th grade entrance exam for the next school year will combine both selection and examination methods to better suit the current situation.

Specifically, the admission process for 10th grade in public high schools will be implemented in certain special areas. Public high schools in the remaining areas will conduct entrance exams in early June 2026, covering three subjects: Vietnamese Literature, Mathematics, and a Foreign Language. This aims to maintain stability and facilitate the process for parents, students, and schools after the merger of the three localities. Relevant departments will calculate and develop specific plans for admission and entrance exams in each area and for each school to ensure a reasonable approach.

Furthermore, the 10th grade entrance exam for the new school year is also the first exam in Ho Chi Minh City after its merger with the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. Therefore, the Department of Education and Training has published the exam structure and sample questions for junior high schools in the three areas to refer to and plan the most effective review sessions for their students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/luat-giao-duc-sua-doi-bo-bang-tot-nghiep-thcs-vay-co-con-phai-thi-lop-10-185251210184913647.htm