Nearly 74% of teachers choose to take three compulsory subjects for high school graduation exam

Of the approximately 130,700 high school teachers surveyed, nearly 74% chose to take the graduation exam with three compulsory subjects, fewer subjects than the other option of the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Ministry of Education and Training issued a report at the end of September on the process of developing a draft plan for the 2025 high school graduation exam. It stated the results of a nationwide survey of teachers on the two plans proposed by the Ministry in August.

With option 1, students take four compulsory subjects: Math, Literature, Foreign Language, History; two elective subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Information Technology, Technology. Option 2 includes three compulsory subjects: Math, Literature, Foreign Language; two elective subjects from subjects already studied (including History).

Of the nearly 130,700 high school officials and teachers participating in the survey, nearly 74% chose option 2.

At the quality management conference at the end of August with 205 delegates who were leaders of the Department of Education and Training and affiliated professional departments, 68.8% also chose this option.

According to the Ministry, the option of taking three compulsory subjects will reduce pressure on students and reduce costs for society because there is one less subject than at present. This option also creates a balance between the combination of Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.

Option 1 has the advantage of taking all 4 compulsory subjects in the program. The disadvantage is that it increases the pressure of exams, causing more human and financial resources to be wasted due to the increased number of exams.

Currently, students choose Social Sciences more than Natural Sciences. The plan to take four compulsory subjects will aggravate this imbalance, affecting human resource training to meet the fourth industrial revolution; reducing the role of the elective subject group because the four compulsory subjects alone have created four admission combinations that lean towards the social sciences.

Candidates taking the 2023 high school graduation exam in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran — Candidates taking the 2023 high school graduation exam in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: *Quynh Tran*

In addition to the two options above, when surveying in Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Tay Ninh, Lang Son and Bac Giang, the Ministry added the "2+2" option - two compulsory subjects and two elective subjects.

Of these, two compulsory subjects are Math and Literature. About 10,000 out of nearly 18,000 cadres and teachers (nearly 60%) whose opinions were consulted chose the "2+2" option.

The Ministry said that this plan has the advantage of reducing exam pressure and costs due to the reduction of 2 exam subjects compared to the present. This also does not cause imbalance between admission combinations, creating conditions for students to spend time studying subjects of their choice that match their career orientation. Candidates can still use exam scores to apply for university admission.

2025 is the time when the first batch of students following the new general education program will take the graduation exam. Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong said on September 20 that the Ministry is actively perfecting the exam plan, doing it thoroughly with the motto: concise, no stress, no pressure, no cost, with a roadmap, with innovation but also inheritance and absorption.

Currently, the high school graduation exam is organized with 6 subjects, including Math, Literature, Foreign Language, Natural Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) or Social Science (History, Geography, Civic Education).

Duong Tam

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