Vietnam Ministry of Education proposes major curriculum and exam reforms

The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training is currently seeking public feedback on a draft circular to amend several educational regulations and the general education curriculum.

Key proposals include allowing secondary schools to conduct periodic assessments via computers to increase transparency and speed up grading. While experts note this aligns with global digital trends, they emphasize that true digital transformation requires using assessment data to improve teaching and management rather than just replacing paper with screens.

Regarding entrance examinations, the draft proposes reducing the number of subjects for high school admissions to just two: Mathematics and Literature. This change aims to reduce pressure on students and families, though its effectiveness in highly competitive urban areas remains a point of discussion.

Additionally, the Ministry is considering making English a mandatory subject starting from Grade 1 for specialized English classes, rather than Grade 3. This initiative aligns with the long-term goal of establishing English as a second language in schools between 2025 and 2035. Educators suggest that for younger children, the curriculum must focus on play, songs, and images to ensure quality without creating undue academic pressure.