Decision No. 12/1999/QD-BGDĐT on the issuance of the Final Primary School Examination Regulations

DECISION

Regarding the issuance of the Examination Regulations for Primary School Graduation

_______________________ 

MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Based on Decree No. 29/CP dated March 30, 1994 of the Government regarding the tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 15/CP dated March 2, 1993 of the Government on the tasks, powers, and responsibilities for state management of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 90/CP dated November 24, 1993 of the Government stipulating the framework structure of the national education system, educational certificates and qualifications in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

At the proposal of the Director of the Primary Education Department,

 

DECISION:

Article 1.The Examination Regulations for Primary School Graduation are hereby issued together with this Decision.

Article 2This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature. This Decision replaces Decision No. 3857/GD-ĐT dated December 14, 1994 and Decision No. 1600/GD-ĐT dated April 19, 1996 of the Minister of Education and Training. All previous regulations contrary to this Decision are abolished.

Article 3Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees (People's Committees of centrally governed cities), Heads of units and organizations under the Ministry of Education and Training, Directors of Departments of Education and Training are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

 

REGULATIONS ON PRIMARY SCHOOL GRADUATION EXAMINATIONS

(Issued together with Decision No. 12/1999/QĐ-BGDĐT

dated March 15, 1999 of the Minister of Education and Training)

 

PART I

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1.The primary school graduation examination aims to objectively assess the academic performance and discipline of students, as well as the educational outcomes of primary schools according to the goals and plans of primary education, contributing to enhancing the quality of student learning and teacher instruction.

Article 2The results of the primary school graduation examination serve as the basis for awarding the primary school graduation certificate and for admission to grade 6 of secondary school.

 

Chapter II

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXAMINATION

Article 3.The following categories are eligible to take the primary school graduation examination:

1. Students in grade 5 who have completed the primary school curriculum in all types of primary schools.

2. Self-study candidates: including students retaking the exam and those who have completed the primary school curriculum in family-based classes.

The application of self-study candidates must be submitted to the registration school thirty days before the examination date. The application includes:

a) An application form for the examination confirmed by the People's Committee of the commune (township, town).

Students who have been disciplined for misconduct related to the primary school graduation examination and wish to take the examination must be reviewed and recommended by the People's Committee of the commune (township, town) to the Department of Education and Training for permission;

b) A confirmation letter from the principal of the primary school that the applicant has completed the primary school curriculum (for students studying in family-based classes)

Retaking students must provide their official academic records;

c) A valid birth certificate and must be under 15 years old at the time of the examination.

Students aged 15 or older wishing to take the examination must be included in a list proposed by the Department of Education and Training for approval by the Department of Education and Training.

Article 4Teachers responsible for the class are responsible for completing the assessment, recording grades, and preparing individual files for each student ten days before the examination date.

Article 5The principal of the school is responsible for preparing the files of current students and self-study candidates to present to the examination board.

The application of examination candidates must be complete and accurate. Students with special applications (orphans, overseas Vietnamese, migrants...) or not conforming to general regulations must be reviewed and decided in writing by the Department of Education and Training to allow them to take the examination.

 

Chapter III

CONDITIONS FOR GRADUATION AND GRADING OF GRADUATION

Article 6.The following categories will be recognized as having graduated from primary school:

1. Students in grade 5 who achieve the title of Excellent Student at the end of the year.

2. Students who pass the primary school graduation examination and meet one of the following conditions:

a) An average score of 5.0 or higher across all subjects, with no subject scoring below 2.0.

b) An average score of 4.5 to 4.9 across all subjects, with no subject scoring below 2.0; overall academic performance in grade 5 is rated Good or higher.

3. Priority students:

a) Children of martyrs, children of wounded veterans with over 81% loss of working capacity, children of those entitled to benefits equivalent to wounded veterans with over 81% loss of working capacity.

b) Ethnic minority students.

c) Students studying in remote, mountainous, border, island areas... (as defined by the provincial People's Committee).

Students who pass the primary school graduation examination with an average score of 4.0 or higher across all subjects, with no subject scoring below 2.0; overall academic performance in grade 5 is rated Average or higher.

, Clause 1, Clause 2 Article 7a of this Regulation.The following categories will be considered for special graduation from primary school:

1. Students who are ill and unable to participate in the examination, with a medical certificate from a health facility at the commune level or higher;

b) Students who encounter unexpected incidents such as traffic accidents, storms, floods, fires, enemy attacks, severe illness while en route to the examination room preventing them from taking the examination;

c) Students whose immediate family members (father, mother, brother, sister, sibling) die on the day of the examination, with a family request for exemption from the examination;

d) Students who move to new economic zones according to local plans more than ten days before the examination date.

These students must have a confirmation and recommendation letter from the school signed by the principal, with an overall annual conduct rating of Very Good or higher and an overall academic performance rating of Average or higher in grade 5.

2. Students who fall ill or encounter unexpected incidents during the examination, preventing them from continuing, must have confirmation from the examination board and medical staff serving the examination, with an overall annual conduct rating of Very Good or higher and an overall academic performance rating of Average or higher in grade 5. If the student has completed any subject, the score for that subject must be 5.0 or higher.

Article 8.In addition to the general regulations on the primary school graduation examination in these Regulations, the Ministry of Education and Training has specific regulations for students enrolled in pilot programs for foreign languages.

Article 9Students graduating from primary school are classified into three categories:

1. Excellent: Belonging to one of the following two categories:

a) Students in grade 5 who achieve the title of Excellent Student at the end of the year.

b) An average score of 9.0 or higher across all subjects, with no subject scoring below 8, and an overall academic performance rating of Good or higher in grade 5.

2. Good: An average score of 7.0 to 8.9 across all subjects, with no subject scoring below 6, and an overall academic performance rating of Average or higher in grade 5.

3. Average: Remaining students.

Students who are considered for special graduation are not graded and are clearly noted in the Primary School Graduation Certificate.

Article 10.Complaints and Resolution of Complaints

Students have the right to appeal the examination results. Students requesting an appeal must submit a written appeal to the examination venue no later than ten days after the announcement of the primary school graduation examination results.

2. The Review Board shall be established at the district (urban district) level and operate according to the principles of the Examination Board. The Review Board has the following responsibilities:

a) Organize the re-marking of examination papers.

b) Compare the re-marked scores with the initial marked scores; if there is a change of one point or more (increase or decrease), the initial marked score may be adjusted.

c) Publicly announce the list of students whose examination papers were re-marked, the results of the re-marking, and the supplementary graduation list.

Other complaints related to the examination period shall be examined and resolved by the Department of Education and Training. In cases where the Department of Education and Training lacks the authority to resolve the complaint, it shall transfer the matter to the Provincial Department of Education and Training for resolution.

 

Chapter IV

EXAM PROGRAM, SUBJECTS, EXAM DATE AND TEST QUESTIONS

Article 11.

1. The exam program is the elementary school curriculum issued by the Ministry of Education and Training. Students study which program will take the exam according to that program, with a focus on the final grade of elementary school.

2. Subjects: Vietnamese and Mathematics.

The time allowed for each subject (excluding copying time) is ninety minutes.

3. The exam date is determined annually by the Ministry of Education and Training and specified in the annual budget plan.

4. The Test Question Drafting Board

The Provincial Department of Education and Training proposes the People's Committee of the province (city) to issue a decision to establish the Test Question Drafting Board. The composition of the Test Question Drafting Board includes:

Chairman of the Board: Director of the Provincial Department of Education and Training

Vice-Chairman of the Board: Head of the Elementary School Division

Secretary of the Board: Staff member of the Elementary School Division

Members: One or two professional staff members from the Elementary School Division with excellent professional skills, good moral character, and high sense of responsibility for each subject.

Printing staff

The Test Question Drafting Board is responsible for drafting test questions (official and backup) and marking guidelines; organizing printing, packaging, sealing, storage, and distribution of test questions.

The Chairman is responsible for organizing and directing all aspects of the test question preparation work, reviewing, and deciding on the selection of test questions.

Each member is individually responsible to the Chairman for the accuracy, scientific nature, pedagogical value, and confidentiality of the test questions.

All members of the Test Question Drafting Board must not have children, siblings, or nephews/nieces (children of siblings, grandchildren) participating in the examination that year.

5. Drafting Test Questions

Test questions are drafted for each type of program implemented within the local area. Test questions must be appropriate to reality, consistent with the average requirements of the program, ensuring basic knowledge and skill requirements of the subjects.

The process of drafting test questions must ensure absolute confidentiality, accuracy, seriousness, and safety at every stage (preparation, printing, storage, distribution, transportation...). Test questions must be printed separately and not on the same paper as the student's examination paper.

The content of the marking guidelines must be clear and specific for each level; the scoring criteria must accurately reflect the academic level of the students. The total score should be rounded to the nearest half-point.

6. Printing Test Questions and Marking Guidelines

After being reviewed and signed by the Chairman of the Test Question Drafting Board, the test questions and marking guidelines must be printed for trial. After carefully reading and checking the trial print three times, the official printing can proceed and only the required quantity should be printed. The printing process must be completed for each test question. Any materials related to the test questions, such as wax paper, defective prints, excess prints, etc., must be sealed and stored in a box or cabinet and not destroyed.

7. Packaging and Sealing Test Questions

Each subject's test questions and marking guidelines must be packaged and sealed separately according to the regulations of the Test Question Drafting Board to ensure security and confidentiality.

8. Distribution and Handover of Test Questions

The Provincial Department of Education and Training uses its own means of transport with police protection to deliver the official and backup test questions to each District Department of Education and Training. The Examination Boards receive the official test questions at the District Department of Education and Training. The District Department of Education and Training may use its own means of transport with police protection to deliver test questions to distant Examination Boards. When handing over test questions and marking guidelines, a record must be made detailing the time, location, condition of the packages, and signatures of both parties.

The Provincial Department of Education and Training and the District Department of Education and Training must arrange the delivery of test questions so that the test question packages arrive at the Examination Boards at least one day before the exam date.

9. Backup Test Questions

The Provincial Department of Education and Training organizes training sessions on marking guidelines for the Chairpersons and heads of subject groups of the Examination Boards and hands over the marking guideline packages to the Examination Boards after the exams.

The Provincial Department of Education and Training and the District Department of Education and Training must have official and backup test questions for direct supervision during the exams. Direct supervision test questions are opened simultaneously with the opening time of test questions at the Examination Boards.

 

Chapter V

ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP OF THE EXAMINATION PERIOD

Article 12The examination and marking processes are conducted at elementary schools where students are taking the exam.

1. Composition of the Examination Board:

Chairman of the Board: Principal or Deputy Principal of the host school

A Vice-Chairman of the Board: Deputy Principal of another school

Secretary of the Board: Secretary of the host school or head of the subject group of the host school

Members of the Board: include teachers from the host school who do not teach fifth grade and two teachers from other schools. The number of members depends on the number of examination rooms, ensuring that each room has two invigilators (excluding assistant invigilators). Some assistant invigilators may be assigned to teachers currently teaching fifth grade.

2. Composition of the Marking Board:

Chairman of the Board: Principal or Deputy Principal of the host school

A Vice-Chairman of the Board: Deputy Principal of another school

Secretary of the Board: Secretary of the host school or head of the subject group of the host school

Members of the Board: include teachers currently teaching fifth grade (or who have taught fifth grade) from the host school and two teachers from other schools. The number of members depends on the number of examination papers, ensuring that each paper has two markers.

In remote areas with very few students, the District Department of Education and Training may propose the People's Committee of the district (urban district) to establish combined Examination Boards and Marking Boards, but it must ensure that students do not travel more than three kilometers.

Article 13The People's Committee of the district (urban district, town), the District Department of Education and Training (district, urban district, town) are responsible for organizing and directing the elementary school graduation examination in their locality in accordance with the Examination Regulations for Elementary School Graduation.

The District Department of Education and Training proposes the People's Committee of the district (urban district, town) to issue decisions to establish Examination Boards, Marking Boards, Review Boards, and Examination Supervision Committees in each district (urban district, town).

Composition of the Examination Supervision Committee in the district (urban district, town):

Chairman of the Committee: Head of the District Department of Education and Training

Deputy Head: 1 specialized inspector

Members: from 3 to 5 people who are specialized staff of the Department of Education and Training, some Principals with capability.

The members of the Steering Committee and Inspection Team shall not participate in the Examination Board for conducting and grading the examination.

Article 14The People's Committee of the province (city), the Department of Education and Training of the provinces (cities) are responsible for organizing and directing all activities of the primary school graduation examination (preparation, setting questions, supervising the examination, grading, rewarding, disciplining...).

The Department of Education and Training proposes the Provincial People's Committee (city) to issue a decision to establish the Examination Board for setting questions, the Steering Committee and Inspection Team for the primary school graduation examination of the province.

Composition of the Steering Committee and Inspection Team for the primary school graduation examination at the provincial (city) level:

Chairperson: Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training in charge of primary education

Two Deputy Heads: Head or Deputy Head of the Primary Education Division and Head or Deputy Head of the Inspection Division of the Department.

Members: from 5 to 7 people who are specialized staff of the Department of Education and Training, some Heads or Deputy Heads of the Department of Education and Training.

Duties, powers, and principles of operation of the Steering Committee and Inspection Team, Examination Boards for conducting and grading the examination are carried out according to the operational guidance document issued by the Ministry.

Thirty days before the examination date, the Principals of the schools must report to the Department of Education and Training on the expected number of students participating in the examination so that the Department of Education and Training can prepare for the organization of the examination.

Article 15.The higher-level People's Committee is responsible for instructing the lower-level People's Committees and relevant sectors (Health, Police, Electricity, Post) to assist and create favorable conditions for the education sector to organize the primary school graduation examination well in their localities.

 

Chapter VI

APPROVE RESULTS AND STORE EXAMINATION RECORDS

Article 16The Head of the Department of Education and Training is responsible for approving the results and issuing the Primary School Graduation Certificate to students. At the latest, within 15 days after the examination date, the list of graduating students along with the scores of each subject will be publicly announced at the school where the students took the examination. At the latest, within 10 days after the deadline for appeals, the supplementary list of graduating students will be announced at the Department of Education and Training. At the latest, within 45 days after the examination date, all Departments of Education and Training must complete the issuance of certificates to students recognized as having graduated.

Article 17The officially approved list of student names and scores must be stored indefinitely at the Department of Education and Training (one copy); the Department of Education and Training (one copy); the school (one copy). All examination papers of students, examination supervision records, and grading records must be stored for at least two years at the Department of Education and Training.

The Primary School Graduation Certificate is a national diploma issued and transferred to the Department of Education and Training by the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Primary School Graduation Certificate is issued only once. In cases of loss due to fire, enemy action, flood..., the Department of Education and Training may consider reissuing it once if the student submits a request and has confirmation from the People's Committee of the commune (township, town).

 

Chapter VII

REWARD AND DISCIPLINE

Article 18.Staff and teachers involved in examination work and service who have outstanding achievements during the primary school graduation examination will be recommended by the Department of Education and Training to superiors for rewards in the form of commendation certificates or medals.

Article 19Those staff, teachers involved in examination work, those providing services, and students violating the examination regulations set by the Ministry, depending on the severity of the violation, will be handled by the Department of Education and Training within its authority or referred to superiors for disciplinary actions according to the following forms prescribed for different subjects:

1. For staff, teachers, and service providers:

a) Reprimand: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Copying the test questions discovered after the start command

Failing to detect the copying of test questions by invigilators

Turning a blind eye to students' violation of examination regulations

b) Warning: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Tampering with academic records, grade books, name and score lists

Losing, misplacing, or missing students' files

Copying or omitting test questions affecting students' answers

Adding incorrect scores, omitting scores, entering wrong scores, or wrong marks

Guiding or giving answers to students

Approving or setting questions not in accordance with basic requirements for knowledge and skills

c) Demotion, reduction in pay, transfer: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Guiding or transferring answers to the entire examination room

Setting incorrect questions or questions outside the curriculum

Leaking test questions

d) Termination of employment or prosecution under the law: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Accepting bribes from students or parents

Intentionally leaking test questions, selling test questions, or answers

Engaging in actions to disrupt the examination

2. For students taking the examination:

a) Public warning by the Examination Board: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Bringing examination materials into the examination room but not using them

Copying another person's answer; allowing someone to copy their answer or guiding someone after being warned three times by the invigilator

Receiving pre-prepared answers from others but not using them

b) Nullifying examination results: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Using examination materials brought into the examination room or pre-prepared answers from others

Taking another person's examination paper instead of their own

Not submitting the examination paper

c) Suspension from taking remaining subjects or disqualification from taking the examination for one year: This disciplinary measure applies to the following violations:

Engaging in actions to disrupt the examination

Having someone take the examination in their place

After receiving a disciplinary decision, the party concerned has the right to appeal to the disciplinary decision-making body and the superior management body. While waiting for resolution, the party concerned must comply with the disciplinary measures stated in the decision./.