Education - First day of graduation exam goes smoothly

VietNamNet Bridge – The first test of the 2007 high school graduation exam has been carried out with security and order and without any serious problem, according to the Ministry of Education and Training.

This morning, May 30, about one million high school students nationwide took the literature test, the first test of the 6-subject high school graduation exam, which education officials are closely monitoring to root out cheating.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan personally inspected exam activities at Phung Khac Khoan High School in the northern province of Ha Tay, where last year occurred the phenomenon of throwing test questions and answers in and out of testing rooms during the graduation exam.

This year, however, security at Phung Khac Khoan High School in particular and at other high schools throughout the country in general is being rigorously strengthened.

At the school, for instance, local policemen are being stationed at 4 corners of the school to prevent people from coming near testing rooms; or at Thanh Oai B High School, well-equipped security forces were present in front of the school early in the morning to ensure order despite heavy rain.

And in Hanoi, the 2007 exam is also being carried out in a more serious and effective manner than in previous exams. Students have often brought materials for cheating and left schoolyards white with materials before and after tests.

Proctors, however, may be perplexed since this is the first time the high school graduation exam has been conducted in a professional way resembling what is done at the university entrance exam. At Yen Vien High School in Hanoi, for example, some proctors forgot certain procedures before and after tests.

As for the literature test itself, it is considered to follow closely the curricula though students had very different opinions after taking the test and the fact that the scores for the short-answer and essay sections were the same (5-5) took many by surprise, since the essay question has always carried greater weight.

Viet Nam Net