Still working fine (!)

Immediately after the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) concluded that IDP Vietnam Education Company Limited (IDP Company) issued more than 56,200 IELTS certificates in violation of regulations, many students were restless.

Dizzy with fear of being... expelled from school

NVH, a second-year student at the Diplomatic Academy (Hanoi), said that 2 years ago, he used the IELTS certificate issued by IDP Company to apply for admission to the university. When hearing the conclusion of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training indicating that more than 56,200 IELTS certificates issued by this company were not recognized, H. was very worried, wondering if his studies at the university would be affected, if the school would recognize the admission results from 2 years ago...?

Not only do many students use the IELTS certificate issued by IDP for university admission, they also use this certificate to be exempted from some English courses at school. They wonder if the school will require them to study and retake the test, or submit an alternative certificate?

Faced with this ridiculous situation, a lecturer at Hanoi National University said that it is very difficult to revoke or cancel the results of candidates who were admitted thanks to the IELTS certificate of IDP Company, because it is not the student's fault. Moreover, this certificate is widely recognized worldwide, accurately assessing the English proficiency of candidates.

"In addition, the enrollment has been completed for a long time, and students have settled down in their studies. If the results are revoked or canceled, it will lead to many disruptions and unforeseen consequences," this lecturer analyzed.

Headquarters of IDP Education Vietnam Company Limited at 161 Hai Ba Trung, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City Photo: KIM NGAN

Previously, according to the conclusion of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training, although from November 17, 2022, the Ministry has only allowed IDP Company and its affiliates with IELTS Australia Pty Ltd to organize exams at locations as decided. However, from January 1 to December 31, 2022, this company has organized IELTS Test Report Form for 67,195 people and issued 66,153 IELTS certificates. Of which, 56,230 certificates were issued before the permitted time.

The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training concluded that IDP Company violated Decree 04/2021 of the Government on administrative sanctions in the field of education, the responsibility belongs to the company director. However, because the statute of limitations for sanctions under the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations has expired, the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training requested that IDP Company review all activities of joint testing for foreign language proficiency certificates in Vietnam, and comply with the decision of the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training recommended that the Ministry assign the Department of Quality Management to guide IDP in handling the number of foreign language certificates that the company has jointly organized exams and issued foreign language proficiency certificates in Vietnam without permission from the competent state management agency.

"Does not affect the rights of learners"

In response to concerns from many students and parents, on the afternoon of May 9, the Ministry of Education and Training announced that foreign language proficiency certificates issued by affiliated testing organizations, when meeting quality assurance conditions, will continue to be used normally according to the Ministry's regulations on testing, enrollment and training; without affecting the rights of those who are granted the certificates. This means that more than 56,200 IELTS certificates issued by IDP Company will still be used normally.

The Ministry of Education and Training also said that in performing the function of state management of education and training, the ministry has been strengthening inspection and examination of the joint organization of foreign language proficiency exams to ensure compliance with regulations, ensure the quality of exams and the rights of test takers.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry's inspectors have concluded their inspections of a number of units that have jointly organized foreign language proficiency exams in Vietnam. According to the inspection results, before being licensed by the Ministry of Education and Training, a number of units had jointly organized foreign language proficiency exams without permission, violating the provisions of Decree 86/2018 and Circular 11/2022 of the Minister of Education and Training. In 2023, the Department of Quality Management issued an official dispatch on guidelines for verifying foreign language proficiency certificates and an official dispatch on the use of certificates to exempt foreign language exams in the 2023 high school graduation exam.

"In the coming time, the Department of Quality Management will coordinate with relevant agencies to continue to strengthen inspection and supervision of the activities of training units, organizations, training associations, exam organizations and foreign language certificate issuance. Thereby, promptly detecting, handling or recommending handling if there are violations, ensuring the legitimate rights of learners and exam takers in accordance with regulations" - the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed.

12,000 world organizations recognized?

Immediately after the conclusion of the Ministry of Education and Training Inspectorate, on the morning of May 9, IDP Company issued a notice confirming that IELTS certificates issued in 2022 are still recognized by more than 12,000 organizations worldwide.

"We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and Training as before to ensure compliance with all requirements of local management agencies at all levels," IDP Company stated.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/van-su-dung-binh-thuong-196240509220242018.htm