By 'eliminating' block C, are universities abandoning diversity and creating a deep gap of inequality?

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Manh Ha, University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said he could not help but feel sad and worried when observing a trend in the enrollment strategy at Vietnam's leading universities today.

Candidates participating in the 2025 Hanoi National University of Education's competency assessment exam - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

The fact that many universities training in the social sciences have suddenly reduced admissions, even "erased" the C00 combination (literature, history, geography) from the school's admission plan is causing many conflicting opinions, confusing and worrying students, and regrettingeducation experts.

When social science schools do not recruit block C

About 20 days before the 2025 high school graduation exam, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University, Hanoi announced enrollment information that shocked many candidates pursuing the C00 group (literature, history, geography), because the school only considered 9/28 majors for this group.

Thus, the school has reduced the admission of group C00 by 17 majors compared to last year, including majors such as journalism, social work, psychology, cultural studies, Vietnamese studies, sociology...

Previously, in April, the Academy of Journalism and Communication also officially "erased" the C00 group from the regular university entrance exam group in 2025. Last year, history was the only major of the academy that considered the traditional C group.

Before the Academy of Journalism and Communication introduced the journalism aptitude test into admissions (in 2015), most of the school's majors/training programs recruited students from the traditional C block.

This year, the University of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi also announced that it would no longer consider the C00 combination, replacing it with mandatory combinations that include math or English.

Hanoi Capital University has stopped considering the C00 combination for admission to the majors of law, logistics and supply chain management, psychology, and educational management; Hanoi Open University has also officially stopped considering the C00 combination from this year (last year, the majors of law, economic law, and international law all considered the combination of literature, history, and geography).

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh - former head of the Department of Vocational Education - said that it is reasonable and necessary for universities to reduce or eliminate admission to group C (literature, history, geography) in the context of the 2018 General Education Program and the new high school graduation exam from 2025.

Diversifying subject combinations, especially adding math and English, helps select candidates with a comprehensive knowledge base, meeting the requirements of modern fields of study and the trend of internationalization.

"The biggest problem lies in the late announcement by universities. The announcement of the change in admission combinations just one month before the exam has caused confusion and great disadvantage for thousands of candidates who have focused on studying for block C since the beginning of high school, making it difficult for them to cope in time.

This is a lesson in the lack of initiative and coordination in the process of announcing admission policies. The Ministry of Education and Training and schools need to have a clearer roadmap and announce earlier in the future to ensure fairness and reduce pressure on candidates," he said.

Sadly watching block C retreat

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Manh Ha said that universities have the right to develop admission methods and combinations, but suddenly eliminating combination C00 without a roadmap to inform candidates in advance will affect their psychology.

"Block C is the study block of many students, for many different reasons they study in this block. We cannot equate weak students with studying in block C," he said.

Mr. Ha shared that he used to pursue psychology, and with memories of the C block exam 33 years ago, he could not help but feel sad and worried when observing a trend in the enrollment strategy at the top universities in Vietnam today.

"Even the "cradles" of social sciences and humanities such as the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi are undergoing dramatic changes, where the traditional block C (literature, history, geography) - which is the foundation for majors such as journalism, psychology, sociology - is gradually being replaced or ranked behind block D (math, literature, foreign languages)," said Mr. Ha.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Manh Ha - psychology expert, University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi - Photo: NVCC

According to him, it is undeniable that equipping oneself with foreign languages ​​(usually English) and quantitative analysis skills (through mathematics) is necessary.

The arguments that journalism needs access to international sources, or that psychology must consult global research in English, are partly valid.

However, he believes that the absolute role of block D and the disregard or even elimination of block C is a one-sided view, ignoring the depth and unique values ​​that literature, history and geography bring - that is, a thorough understanding of the culture, history and social changes of the country.

"What makes me and perhaps many people who are passionate about humanities education feel most troubled are the potential consequences. Gradually "closing" the door to block C not only deprives students with special qualities and passion for pure social sciences, but also deals a heavy blow to efforts to reduce inequality.

Are we inadvertently creating a "race" in which the advantage is tilted towards students with better economic conditions, instead of truly seeking diverse talents for the country?", Mr. Ha asked.

The consequences of persistent prejudice?

Mr. Ha believes that it is necessary to review the decline in the number of candidates choosing group C. "Is that the result of a long-standing social prejudice, underestimating social sciences compared to engineering and business, or is it because the admissions policy has not really inspired and created conditions for true passions for literature, history and geography?", he said.

According to him, education administrators and universities need a more thorough and balanced view. There needs to be real strategies to appreciate and promote the strengths of all exam groups, ensuring that the university door is always open to diverse talents from all over the country, and that the social sciences and humanities do not lose their richness and multidimensionality in thinking.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xoa-so-khoi-c-dai-hoc-dang-bo-roi-su-da-dang-va-tao-ho-sau-bat-binh-dang-20250605205122105.htm