The Ministry of Education and Training has decided not to re-grade the graduation tests of high school students in 11 Mekong Delta cities and provinces whose education departments signed a ‘pact’ to lower the bar when cross-grading each other’s students.
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| A cramming class in Can Tho City Photo: Tuoi Tre |
The ‘pact’ came to light right after 63 provinces and cities nationwide released their pass rates shortly after the national high school graduation exam ended on June 6.
The ministry then said these localities violated grading rules.
But regarding the tests would lead to a lower pass rate, something the ministry didn’t like because many students would not be eligible for the upcoming college entrance exams in early July, Vice Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Vinh Hien admitted in an interview with Tuoi Tre.
The ministry however would definitely take disciplinary measures against anyone involved in the pact, Hien said.
Doubtful pass rates
Many provinces, including ones with unfavorable learning conditions, reported sky-high pass rates after the national high school graduation exam.
Most of the 63 provinces and cities countrywide reported an over 90 percent pass rate. Many high schools even showed a 100 percent.
Cheating on exams did exist during the exam, Hien confessed. But he said efforts by education officials to improve teaching quality should also be taken into account.
The ministry however would double check the graded tests of certain localities, he said.
