VietNamNet Bridge – An international study created by the Conference of Education Ministers of French-Speaking Countries reveals that Vietnamese primary education is good as students are equipped with basic skills and knowledge.

The Programme for Analysing Education Systems (PASEC), launched in 1991, aims to provide its members with information about education systems and relevant policies, said the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) at a conference in Hanoi on February 26.  

Engaging in the programme’s 2011-2013 survey, Vietnam’s objective was to evaluate its education quality, particularly in mathematics and literature.

More than 5,000 second and fifth graders selected randomly from 180 schools in 55 cities and provinces across the country participated in the survey.

Accordingly, all second graders were found to display maths and literature skills at both low and high levels, while 75 percent of fifth graders made progresses in mathematics and 25 percent of the weakest pupils saw their literature skills improve.

Dr. Le Thi My Ha, head of the MoET’s education evaluation centre, said the results reflect Vietnamese students’ great efforts as well as the country’s equal education environment between rural and urban areas.

However, Vietnamese fifth graders’ skills in critical thinking, debate and applying maths knowledge in reality remain weak, with up to 49.9 percent of them finding problems in these fields, the survey found.

It also pointed out that socio-economic factors, such as poor-quality textbooks, teachers and learning equipment, also affect the quality of education.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Vinh Hien underlined the need for schools to enhance communication, team-working and practical skills for their students to further improve the country’s education quality.

Source: Vietnam Plus