Ranked 43rd in literature, no candidate got perfect score, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training explains the reason

Candidates of Binh Phu High School (District 6, Ho Chi Minh City) took the high school graduation exam in literature last June.

Data from the high school graduation exam scores for literature shows that the average score for this subject in Ho Chi Minh City is ranked 43rd; not to mention that for many years, no student in Ho Chi Minh City has achieved the maximum score in this subject. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City is known as the leading locality in the country in innovating teaching methods and testing and evaluating students.

Is this result unusual? Is it because the HCM City judges are too strict with their grading, or is it because of the students' academic performance, or is there a problem with the teaching?

In response to this question, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said: For the subject of literature, this year there were 83,731 candidates taking the exam (excluding independent candidates) and the average score was 6.67. There were 12 candidates who scored 9.5, the highest score for this subject in Ho Chi Minh City, 76 candidates scored 9.25 points; 365 candidates scored 9 points...

In addition, 10,586 candidates scored 8 or higher, accounting for 12.65%. The number of candidates scoring average or higher was 79,230, accounting for 94.63%. For many years, the city has maintained over 90% of candidates scoring average or higher in this subject.

Mr. Hieu pointed out that in reality, it is extremely rare and extremely difficult to get a 10-point essay. In the whole country with 63 provinces and cities, there are only 2 candidates who got 10 points, so it is not unusual that Ho Chi Minh City does not have a 10-point essay in literature.

"The innovation of teaching and learning methods along with testing and assessment based on students' qualities and abilities according to the orientation of Ho Chi Minh City will certainly not be suitable for the common questions for students nationwide. The leaders of the Department of Education and Training regularly discuss with the Department of Secondary Education, the standing agency advising on teaching organization and testing and assessment to clearly understand the teaching and learning situation of teachers and students for the above subject. The Department is still persistent with this orientation because students do not have to study just to take this exam but also need to have thinking and reasoning skills to help students solve problems in life. Therefore, the low rankings or the lack of candidates scoring 10 points are not due to weak students or problems with teaching," the head of the Ho Chi Minh City education sector affirmed.

Also today, July 18, when announcing the results of the 2024 high school graduation exam, with a ranking of 20th in graduation exam scores, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, commented: "It is obvious that Ho Chi Minh City is ranked 20th in high school graduation exam results. Because for a long time, Ho Chi Minh City has innovated teaching methods, testing and evaluating students in the direction of developing students' qualities and abilities. Meanwhile, the high school graduation exam is an exam according to the old program and is for students nationwide. Therefore, not only this year but for many years, Ho Chi Minh City has not been the locality with the highest graduation exam results in the country. However, Ho Chi Minh City is still steadfast in innovation".

Besides, Mr. Hieu added that there is another reason, which is that Ho Chi Minh City students participate in the high school graduation exam with a focus. That is, they focus on the subjects that they will use to apply for university.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xep-hang-43-mon-van-khong-thi-sinh-diem-tuyet-doi-so-gd-dt-tphcm-noi-nguyen-nhan-185240718194622055.htm