The Circular 20 issued on November 26 has deregulated the decision to let language centres to organise examinations and issue foreign language certificates based on the ABC testing system in Decision 30 issued in June 2008. On-going training courses which were started before the circular took effect, can still be continued.

Instead, the ministry will organise tests following Vietnam's 6-level language ability framework. Only nine facilities can organise the tests which are VNU University of Languages and International Studies, University of Foreign Languages Studies - University of Danang, Hue College of Foreign Languages, Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical University, Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi University, Thai Nguyen University, Can Tho University and Vinh University.

Therefore, language centres are no longer allowed to issue language certificates to learners.

Leaders of departments under the Ministry of Education and Training, chairmen of provincial people's committees and head of schools, universities will be responsible for carrying out the circular.

Since May, Lao Dong Newspaper has published several reports about language centres selling certificates to their students so students don't have to take the courses. Certificates trading rings have been formed at various provinces and cities in Vietnam.

Most of the buyers are teachers or those who have worked at state agencies. They don't understand anything about foreign languages or computers but they require the certificates for promotions. Their works and families and the ageing process have reduced their learning abilities.

The Ministry of Education and Training quickly launched an investigation and promised to strictly deal with the violations. Pham Tuan Anh, an official in the Ministry of Education and Training said they didn't want to cause difficulties for their teachers with unnecessary regulations. They will adjust the regulations about requirements for promotions.

Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan was also questioned about the problem. He said after the revised law on Cadres and Civil Servants were issued, they would adjust the regulations about required certificates for state employees. Dtinews