Pham Ngoc Dinh, director of the Ministry of Education and Training’s Department of Primary Education, met with teachers representing many primary schools nationwide on October 1 in order to give a clear explanation of new methods. They will be compulsory and applied at primary schools across the country beginning October 15.

Pham Ngoc Dinh, director of the Ministry of Education and Training’s Department of Primary Education

“There are certain inadequacies in the current system of assessment. It puts pressure on students and parents. One fifth grade student committed suicide after receiving bad grades," he noted. 

He went on to say that the new assessment method requires teachers to look into each students study habits in order to give them better guidance in the learning process. 

Principles of primary schools proposed that this new system should be optional for the 2014-2015 school year in order to give them more time to prepare for the change. However, Dinh said that the regulation would be immediately implemented. 
 

Training primary teachers about new assessment methods

He added that, "Under the new system, a dedicated teacher would be able to inspire students and help nurture their natural curiosity and love of learning. Currently, many students are unaware of the purpose of learning. Many just go to school because it's what their parents require."

There are still critics, however, who say that this change could make it more difficult for teachers, some of whom already are overloaded. Dinh still insisted on universal application of the new system, regardless of a teacher's class load, adding that assessments could be either written or verbal.