Preventing cheating and exam paper leaks was a key focus during a May 21 meeting between the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, discussing preparations for the 2026 high school graduation exam.
A new measure this year allows invigilators to use handheld security scanners to detect students carrying phones or other high-tech devices.
"This is not mandatory and can be used at high-risk, sensitive, complex test centers, or those with many independent candidates", said Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong.
According to the Deputy Minister, many students have recently faced prosecution for using high-tech devices to cheat and leak exam papers. Some were naive, unaware that exam papers are state secrets and that leaking them could lead to criminal charges.
Most cases involved students using phones to photograph exam papers and send them outside. With careful observation and proper training, invigilators can easily spot abnormal psychological or behavioral signs in students.
"Students intending to cheat will display a very different attitude and psychology. If a student cheats in an exam room, part of the responsibility lies with the invigilator, and disciplinary action must be considered", Mr. Thuong noted.
Conversely, many violations are unintentional. Mr. Thuong cited an example of a bright student who, near the end of the exam, only remembered carrying a phone when it rang. The student was penalized and suspended from the exam, despite not having used the device for cheating.
He believes using security scanners both protects the integrity of the exam and shields students from unfortunate incidents. If a prohibited device is detected before entering the exam room, the student will not face disciplinary action.
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An invigilator uses a handheld security scanner to check a candidate taking the competency assessment exam at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, 2024. Photo: Thanh Phong |
Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training, stated that Ho Chi Minh City will have nearly 143,000 students in the first high school graduation exam following the merger. The nation's largest student population combined with a wide geographical area presents significant pressure to ensure a safe and rigorous exam.
Schools and teachers are advised to coordinate with parents to reinforce reminders to students about permitted and prohibited items in exam rooms, especially phones and audio/video recording devices.
For test centers with independent candidates, the Department requests schools and invigilators to pay closer attention.
"The aim is to ensure no student violates regulations", Mr. Hieu said.
A representative from the Department of Internal Political Security (A03), Ministry of Public Security, reported that 9 students have been criminally prosecuted for leaking exam papers recently.
Le Nguyen
