LookAtVietnam – About 140,000 students sat for high-school entrance exams in Ha Noi and HCM City yesterday, June 24.

Ha Noi alone had more than 83,000 students taking literature and mathematics examinations.

Thong said that to more tightly supervise the proctors, the department had mobilised more than 8,000 teachers and 700 superintendents to monitor the exams.

Found cheating

In addition, four policemen were dispatched to each exam location. Thong said there were two violations of the examination code yesterday. One student was found cheating using study materials and the other was using his mobile phone during the examination.

Not all students have been accepted to public schools in Ha Noi, as these schools only accept around 60,000 students, according to Thong. The remaining students will have to attend private schools.

Le Quoc Dat, a student sitting for a high-school exam this year, said: “My aim is Kim Lien high school [a public school] as it has a good academic reputation.”

“I think public schools provide a better quality of teaching. Moreover, as they have stricter requirements for enrolment, such as higher scores and better academic results, I can study in a competitive environment with bright students.”

He added that attending a public school would increase his chances of being accepted to a prestigious university in the future.

Hong, his sister, who accompanied him to the examination, said: “Competition is higher at public schools, as almost all students want to be enrolled in these schools. Not only are the fees lower, but the quality of education is also better at these schools.”

Students opting for the regular test will only be tested on literature and mathematics. Those taking additional subject tests will be tested today.

In HCM City, around 54,000 students sat for the high-school entrance exam. Deputy director of the municipal Education and Training Department Nguyen Van Ngai said that the department had prepared well for the entrance examination in terms of facilities, human resources, proctors and safety.

He said the exams tested basic knowledge and focused mainly on Grade Nine.

Seven districts in the city decide on high-school enrolment based on the academic results of four years in secondary school and student behaviour, instead of exam results.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News