Party general secretary: Ease high school entrance exam pressure as soon as possible

Party General Secretary To Lam has urged the education sector to achieve universal high school education "as soon as possible" to alleviate the pressure on students and teachers caused by the public high school entrance exam.

Party General Secretary To Lam attended the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year on the morning of 5/9.

He assessed that universal education (grades 1-12) is an urgent need, and Vietnam can overcome difficulties related to facilities and teachers to achieve this goal.

According to the General Secretary, the current public high school entrance exam creates significant pressure on both teachers and students. If students fail the exam, they must pursue vocational training or enter the workforce.

"Entering life at 13 or 14 years old is very difficult," the General Secretary said. Therefore, he believes that universal education is a goal the education sector must strive for "as soon as possible."

"Now, the state takes care of tuition fees. We have favorable conditions; let's find a way to reduce the pressure of entrance exams for our children and teachers. Universal education will resolve this issue."

Currently, the country provides universal education for children from 5 years old to 9th grade. Next school year, all preschool and K-12 students will have their tuition fees waived. Some localities, like Hanoi, will also waive semi-boarding fees for students attending two sessions per day.

Full text of General Secretary To Lam's speech

General Secretary To Lam at the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year, morning of 5/9. Photo: Giang Huy

General Secretary To Lam at the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year, morning of 5/9. Photo: Giang Huy

At the ceremony, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that education is always a priority for the Party and the State, reflected in numerous policies, investments, and development efforts. Recently, the Politburo issued Resolution 71 on breakthroughs in education and training development.

"This is a critically important resolution with a strategic vision, specific major goals, tasks, and breakthrough solutions to bring Vietnamese education and training into the global mainstream," Mr. Lam stated.

The General Secretary emphasized that education must maintain its position as a top national policy and become a key driver of national development, especially in this new development phase. He suggested that the sector needs to pioneer innovative thinking, methods, and governance, and develop a teaching force with knowledge, morality, and a desire to contribute. Students must nurture great ambitions, gradually integrate internationally, but always retain their Vietnamese identity and spirit.

Regarding these objectives, he highlighted 9 major orientations:

First is to drastically innovate thinking and action, shifting from "corrective" reforms to a constructive mindset, leading national development through education, using quality, equity, integration, and efficiency as benchmarks, and tightening enforcement discipline.

Second is ensuring equal access to education, raising the general level of knowledge, leaving no child behind, prioritizing development in disadvantaged areas, borders, and islands, increasing investment in facilities, school nutrition, the teaching force, and digital infrastructure.

Comprehensive educational reform is the third requirement. Schools should not only impart knowledge but also nurture personality, train physical fitness, cultivate the soul, awaken a sense of discipline and social responsibility, and form a generation of "talented, compassionate, and resilient" individuals.

Fourth is creating breakthroughs in higher education and vocational training. The General Secretary requested that universities become centers for producing knowledge and technology, serving as nuclei for innovation and startups, closely linking training, research, and knowledge transfer with the country's development needs.

The education sector needs to establish major universities with regional and international stature and modern facilities to train a high-quality workforce, enabling the country to make breakthroughs in science and technology, industrialization, and digital transformation.

Fifth, promoting international integration in education to learn from global excellence and narrow the gap with the world. The General Secretary encouraged joint training programs, program linkages, credit recognition, faculty and student exchanges, and attracting international human resources, thereby enhancing the position of Vietnamese education.

Sixth is focusing on developing the teaching force and management staff. Mr. Lam affirmed that teachers are the soul of education, the decisive factor in the success of innovation. Teachers not only impart knowledge but also sow aspirations, shape personalities, and ignite faith in students. Therefore, teachers also need to learn, be creative, and exemplary, while enhancing the ethics, responsibility, and social standing of the teaching profession.

General Secretary To Lam is welcomed by students as he attends the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year, morning of 5/9. Photo: Giang Huy

General Secretary To Lam is welcomed by students as he attends the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year, morning of 5/9. Photo: Giang Huy

The next task is to promote digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The General Secretary requested that technology be transformed into a catalyst for fundamental and comprehensive innovation, flexible teaching and learning, enhancing digital capacity for teachers and students, and ensuring data security and safety.

Eighth is prioritizing investment in education, which is an investment in the nation's future. The sector needs comprehensive planning and systematization, especially for public universities, to establish training, research, and innovation centers on par with the region and reaching international standards.

Finally, building a learning society and promoting lifelong learning. In the context of ever-changing knowledge, learning is not only a personal need but should be seen as a political responsibility.

"Building a learning society and encouraging lifelong learning is the most solid foundation for a self-reliant nation. It is not only the provision of each individual but also the core value of the nation, ensuring that our nation progresses with the times, affirming Vietnamese bravery and intellect on the international stage," Mr. Lam said.

Before the new school year, he reminded students that previous generations achieved victory with their blood and bones, so in peacetime, students must achieve new victories with knowledge, bravery, and creativity.

He advised students to set clear goals, practice self-discipline, nurture a passion for discovery, enhance their capabilities, and master technology intelligently, safely, and humanely, knowing how to love, share, and live responsibly towards themselves, their families, and the community.

"Every step forward you take is the future of the country," he said.

He expressed his hope that teachers would continue to guide students on the path of knowledge and personality, instruct them in using technology safely, effectively, and humanely, pioneer digital transformation, actively contribute to policy development, and work with the entire sector to enhance the quality and equity in education.

"With a tradition of studiousness, a dedicated teaching force, the striving efforts of students nationwide, and the attention of the whole society, I believe that our education sector will continue to overcome difficulties, achieve great accomplishments, and contribute to realizing the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous Vietnam," the General Secretary shared.