Hanoi is preparing to introduce a new system for admitting students into the 10th grade, which will include common assessments to verify the results of junior high school students. This initiative was announced by Nguyen Van Hien, the Director of the Department of Education and Training, during a conference summarizing the school year on August 21.

According to Hien, one of the seven key tasks moving forward is to innovate the testing and evaluation process to enhance educational quality. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the city plans to conduct periodic assessments for students. These assessments at the junior high school level will be regular to validate results, serving as a basis for the admission process into the 10th grade. However, Hien did not specify when this method would be implemented.

At the high school level, evaluation will not merely rely on report cards but will analyze performance by subject, school, student groups, and individual progress. This approach will enable schools to create tailored support plans for students in specific subjects.

Hien emphasized that the Department and local authorities will utilize data to provide professional support, coordinate teachers, learning materials, and assessments, ensuring that the evaluation process becomes a tool for enhancing teaching and learning quality.

Other key tasks include implementing a new governance model following school restructuring, gradually transitioning from traditional teaching methods to integrating English language usage, developing a comprehensive database, and incorporating artificial intelligence in teaching.

Hien assured that these changes will lead to significant improvements and tangible results. Currently, Hanoi conducts 10th-grade admissions through an examination process. In the previous school year, approximately 147,000 students graduated from junior high school, with over 124,000 registering for the public high school entrance exam, marking a record high. With around 82,660 public school spots available, the pass rate for those who took the exam was 66%. The competition for public high school admission in the capital has been among the most intense in the country for many years.

Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training sought feedback from localities, including Hanoi, regarding the proposal for the 10th-grade exam to consist of two subjects: Literature and Mathematics. This shift is part of a broader national effort to expand high school enrollment, moving from a mindset of "selection" to "expanding learning opportunities." This change is expected to alleviate unnecessary exam pressure and competition.