Hoang Minh Son, Vietnam's Minister of Education and Training, recently addressed the increasing pressures students face from examinations and supplementary classes. This situation has arisen primarily due to an insufficient number of schools and classrooms, leading to intense competition among students for limited opportunities. The Minister's comments were made during a seminar focused on core educational strategies and pressing issues in the education sector, held on August 28.

According to Minister Son, the pressure surrounding the entrance exams for the tenth grade is not uniformly distributed across the country. It is particularly pronounced in major cities and urban areas where population growth outpaces the construction of new educational facilities. As a result, students are compelled to compete fiercely for admission into schools, which in turn exacerbates the pressure to attend extra classes and can lead to negative outcomes.

To address these challenges, Minister Son emphasized the need for a fundamental solution: ensuring an adequate number of schools, classrooms, and qualified teachers, while also improving the quality of education across institutions. He noted that as the educational infrastructure becomes more aligned with the demand for learning, the competitive pressure for tenth-grade admissions will decrease. This would also facilitate a smoother transition for students into schools that are closer to their residences and better suited to their educational needs.

Furthermore, the Minister criticized the rigid limitations on student admissions to the tenth grade, particularly in public schools, which have historically aimed to redirect some students towards vocational training. He argued that this approach has inadvertently intensified competition and stress among students, as societal expectations still heavily favor traditional high school paths.

Minister Son advocated for a more flexible approach to student pathways after middle school, emphasizing that educational choices should be based on quality options rather than restrictive quotas. To encourage students to pursue vocational education, the attractiveness and quality of vocational training must be enhanced, rather than limiting opportunities for high school education.

In line with these reforms, the Ministry of Education and Training is also considering revisions to regulations regarding supplementary teaching and learning, as part of an ongoing effort to improve the educational landscape in Vietnam.