In an education system that perhaps over-emphasizes the importance of degrees, almost every student and parent in Vietnam considers entering university the sole way to secure a good future.
So what about the nearly half million 12th graders for whom university doors have been shut?
Why are we supporting a system that discards passionate young learners simply because they couldn’t pass a math or physics exam?
For years the college entrance exam has been organized to tell students that if they fail the exam they’re worthless to society.
It would be less of a problem if we would improve the quality of teaching at vocational training centers and two-year colleges.
It is time for our education officials to learn from neighboring countries and think about making education accessible to every student.
Studies have shown that students, after finishing middle school, can start attending vocational schools and learn an occupation that can sustain their lives.
We must tell students that this can be another way of entering the job market.
The system must also encourage, and allow, those at vocational schools to further their studies if they wish.
The Asian tiger countries did not ignore training for their youngsters, considering them the nation’s vital labor force.
If we are able to do that too, the university entrance exam will not be so fiercely contested.
And failing it would not haunt students and parents as much.
By Nguyen Duc Nghia
* NGUYEN DUC NGHIA is the deputy director of the Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City |
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