Decision No. 219/QD promulgating the Examination and Graduation Assessment Regulations for Lower Secondary Education

Pursuant to …;

OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DECREE NO. 219-QĐ ON February 28, 1986

ISSUING REGULATIONS ON EXAMINATION AND GRADUATION ASSESSMENT FOR PRIMARY AND LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Pursuant to the Decree No. 123-HĐBT dated April 22, 1985 of the Council of Ministers stipulating the tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education;

Pursuant to Decision No. 125-CP dated March 19, 1981 of the Council of Ministers on amending examination regulations in general education schools;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Primary and Lower Secondary Schools under the Ministry of Education.

DECISION:

Article 1. Now hereby promulgating with this Decision the Regulations on Examination and Graduation Assessment for Primary and Lower Secondary Education.

Article 2. Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces, cities, and special administrative regions directly under the Central Government, Heads of the Office of the Ministry of Education, Directors of the Department of Cadre Organization,

Directors of the Department of Primary and Lower Secondary Schools, Directors of Departments of Education and Training shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

EXAMINATION AND GRADUATION ASSESSMENT FOR PRIMARY AND LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION

(Issued together with Decision No. 219-QĐ dated February 28, 1986)

PART I

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1. Examination and graduation assessment for primary and lower secondary education is the State's evaluation of students' academic performance and conduct in their final year of lower secondary school according to the educational objectives of that level; it is also the continuation and completion of the process of assessing the educational attainment of students throughout the entire level.

Article 2. The graduation result of students is a comprehensive evaluation between the results assessed during the final year of lower secondary school regarding various aspects of education (morality, culture, labor, physical protection and training) and the results of the graduation examination for primary and lower secondary education.

The results of the examination and graduation assessment for primary and lower secondary education will be used for the employment of graduates and for admission to the first grade of upper secondary education.

Article 3. The purpose of the examination and graduation assessment for primary and lower secondary education is:

- To accurately and objectively evaluate the academic performance and conduct of students, the training outcomes of schools, and report truthfully these results to the Party, the State, and the people;

- To encourage and motivate students to diligently study and improve themselves, teachers to continuously enhance their sense of responsibility and capability to better teach and educate;

- To encourage and promote improvements in educational management at all levels; simultaneously, to encourage and promote all levels of the Communist Party, government, and educational management bodies, along with parents and the whole society, to care about teaching and educating teachers and learning and improving students.

Article 4. The Examination and Graduation Assessment Board for primary and lower secondary education consists of members selected from the teaching staff of the school representing the State to carry out all examination and graduation assessment work under the supervision of higher authorities. The school and the Examination and Graduation Assessment Board must attach importance and take measures to closely combine efforts to leverage the role of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Ho Chi Minh Pioneer Organization in examinations and graduation assessments. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and Pioneer Organization of primary and lower secondary schools have the responsibility to contribute to the effective implementation of the Regulations on Examination and Graduation Assessment for primary and lower secondary education.

PART II

OBJECTS, CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN EXAMINATIONS AND GRADUATION ASSESSMENTS

Article 5. The graduation examination for primary and lower secondary education is organized for the following two categories:

1. Students who have completed the final year of lower secondary school in the academic year when the graduation examination and assessment is held.

2. Students who have completed the final year of lower secondary school in previous academic years but did not repeat the class and:

a) Participated in the examination but did not graduate; or

b) Did not participate in the examination due to not meeting the examination conditions.

Article 6. Students falling under point 1, Article 5, if they meet all the following conditions, will be eligible to participate in the examination:

1. They have completed the curriculum of all classes in the lower secondary level within the general education program, having full results evaluated and classified by the school on each aspect of education in each class according to current regulations.

2. The total number of days absent from school in the final year of lower secondary school (counting absences in one or multiple instances) does not exceed 45 days.

3. They must be classified as at least average in all three aspects of morality, labor, and physical protection and training in the final year of lower secondary school.

4. Regarding cultural subjects, they must fall into one of the following categories:

a) Having up to five subjects with an annual average score from 4.0 to 4.9, among which only one subject can be literature or mathematics; all other subjects must achieve an annual average score of 5.0 or higher.

b) Having up to three subjects with an annual average score from 4.0 to 4.9 (only one of which can be literature or mathematics) and one subject (not literature or mathematics) with an annual average score of 3.5 or higher; all other subjects must achieve an annual average score of 5.0 or higher.

c) Having up to two subjects with an annual average score of 3.5 or higher (not literature or mathematics) and one subject with an annual average score from 4.0 to 4.9; all other subjects must achieve an annual average score of 5.0 or higher.

For students currently studying but not meeting the conditions for participating in the examination and graduation assessment, the Principal must notify the student and their family ten days before the graduation examination date.

Article 7. Regarding the categories mentioned in point 2, Article 5:

1. Students falling under sub-item a, point 2 of Article 5, who wish to participate in the examination and graduation assessment, may register to participate in the examination and graduation assessment forty-five days before the examination date at their former school or the nearest location, provided they meet the following conditions:

a) Not exceeding twenty years old.

b) Being proposed and confirmed by the People's Committee of the commune, ward, or town on the application form for participation in the examination and graduation assessment.

Specifically, for students who have been recruited by agencies, enterprises, or production units, confirmation and endorsement from the heads of those units are required.

2. Students falling under sub-item b, point 2 of Article 5, who wish to participate in the examination and graduation assessment, may register to participate in the examination and graduation assessment forty-five days before the examination date at their former school or the nearest location, provided they meet the following conditions:

a) For students who do not meet the examination conditions in terms of morality, labor, or physical protection and training, in addition to meeting the conditions specified in point 1 of this article, they must also be confirmed by local authorities (commune, ward, town) or the agency or unit managing them (for students who have been recruited) that they have shown good awareness and attitude in complying with the policies of the Party and the State, actively participated in social labor or activities, and maintained good moral character during the period they were not continuing their studies at school.

b) For students who do not meet the cultural examination conditions, in addition to meeting the conditions stated in point 1 of this Article, they must also be examined and confirmed by the school (which has accepted their application for the examination) to meet the cultural examination conditions. Only subjects with low average scores leading to non-compliance with examination conditions will be examined.

Article 8. The Ministry shall issue specific regulations on examination files and graduation assessment. All examination and graduation assessment files of students must be completed by the school five days before the examination date for the Examination Board to review again. For students who have studied previous years and wish to take the examination and graduation assessment if they meet the conditions, they must submit complete files at the registration location for the examination and graduation assessment.

CHAPTER III

SUBJECTS OF THE EXAMINATION, EXAMINATION DATE, CURRICULUM, AND EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

Article 9. In principle, students must take the examination for the subjects they have studied. Each year, the Ministry of Education will stipulate and announce the examination subjects (written or oral) along with the examination date and time at least 45 days before the examination date.

Article 10. The examination curriculum is the full-level curriculum, mainly the final grade II curriculum.

Article 11. The Ministry of Education assigns the responsibility for organizing examination questions to the Director of the Department of Education. Each year, based on the guidelines for preparing examination questions issued by the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education will prepare examination questions, guide marking, and score distribution to organize a unified examination within the province, city, or centrally-administered municipality.

Examination questions, marking guidelines, and scoring criteria must ensure absolute confidentiality, accuracy, and security from the draft stage to the typing, printing, distribution, storage, and usage stages according to the regulations of the Ministry.

PART IV

CONDITIONS FOR GRADUATION AND GRADING OF GRADUATION

Article 12. Students who meet one of the following conditions will be recognized as having graduated (passed directly):

1. Being classified as satisfactory or better in all aspects of education (according to the current regulations) in the final grade II class and having an average score of 5 points or higher across all examination subjects, with no subject receiving less than 3 points.

2. Being classified as good or better in all aspects of education in the final grade II class and having an average score of 4.5 points or higher across all examination subjects, with no subject receiving less than 3 points.

Article 13. Additional graduation assessment (additional pass) only applies to students currently studying at primary schools mentioned in point 1, Article 5 of these Regulations.

Those students who meet one of the following conditions will be recognized as having additional graduation (additional pass):

1. Being classified as satisfactory or better in morality, labor, and physical training in the final grade II class and having an average score of 5 points or higher across all examination subjects, with no subject receiving 0 points.

2. Being classified as good or better in morality, culture, and labor in the final grade II class and having an average score of 4.5 points or higher across all examination subjects, with no subject receiving 0 points.

3. Being the child of烈士子女，在最后年级第二学段被评为道德、劳动良好及以上，并且所有考试科目的平均分达到4.5分或以上，其中没有一门科目得分低于0分。

Article 14. In special cases, if it is deemed necessary to grant additional graduation beyond the conditions specified in Article 13, the Department of Education must report to the Ministry of Education for a decision.

Article 15. Students who achieve graduation results in the basic general education examination and assessment will be categorized into four types according to the following standards:

1. Excellent category includes students recognized as having graduated, with excellent moral classification for the entire academic year, outstanding cultural classification, and all other educational aspects rated as good or better, and an average score of 8 points or higher across all examination subjects, with only one subject achieving 6 points or higher.

2. Good category includes students recognized as having graduated and meeting one of the following conditions:

a) Having all educational aspects rated as good or better for the entire academic year and an average score of 6.5 points or higher across all examination subjects, with only one subject achieving 5 points or higher.

b) Having all educational aspects rated as good or better for the entire academic year and an average score of 7 points or higher across all examination subjects, with only two subjects achieving 5 points or higher, one of which is either literature or mathematics.

3. Average category includes students recognized as having graduated (passed directly) who do not meet the above conditions.

4. Common category includes students recognized as having additional graduation (additional pass).

Graduation classification results will be recorded in the student's name, score, and graduation certificate for easy reference upon graduation.

Article 16. Students falling into one of the following categories will be granted special graduation:

1. Students who were sick or had unexpected incidents occurring before the examination date and could not participate in the examination, provided they have valid certificates from health authorities and the school, and are classified as good or better in morality and culture for the entire academic year, with other educational aspects rated as satisfactory or better.

2. Students who were sick or had unexpected incidents during the examination period and could not continue, provided there are valid certificates from health authorities and the Examination Board; simultaneously, if they meet the following conditions:

- Being classified as good or better in morality and labor for the entire academic year, with other aspects rated as satisfactory or better;

- Subjects already taken must achieve 5 points or higher;

- The annual average score of subjects that could not be taken must reach 5 points or higher.

3. Students who did not participate in the examination due to being recruited for military service, volunteering, national defense service, or moving to new economic zones after completing the first semester or second semester, if they are classified as satisfactory or better at the end of the first semester or second semester or throughout the academic year.

4. Students in the final grade II class who did not participate in the examination due to being selected by the Ministry of Education or central government agencies for international competitions (languages, athletics...), if they are classified as good or better in morality for the entire academic year, with other educational aspects rated as satisfactory or better.

Students in the special graduation category will not be classified for graduation and this will be clearly noted on the graduation certificate.

Article 17. To exercise the democratic rights of students and their parents, it is necessary to publicly post the list of graduating students and announce the examination scores to all students who have taken the exams and been evaluated for graduation immediately after the district education office has completed the preliminary review of the graduation results. Resolve student complaints according to the prescribed procedures, with the latest deadline being 30 days after the announcement of the graduation results at the school.

Article 18. The handling of student complaints regarding examinations is regulated as follows:

a) Only accept complaints from non-graduating students within one week from the date of announcing the examination scores and graduation results at the school, and only consider complaints that meet the conditions stipulated by the Ministry of Education.

b) A re-examination committee shall be established at the district, county, or city level based on the number of complaints. The district education offices will propose the organizational scale to the People's Committee of the district, county, or city for a decision to establish such committees.

CHAPTER V

ORGANIZATION AND GUIDANCE OF THE EXAMINATION AND GRADUATION ASSESSMENT

Article 19. Each primary and secondary school shall establish an Examination and Graduation Assessment Board consisting of the following members:

- Chairperson: Principal,

- 1 or 2 Deputy Chairpersons: Vice Principal,

- 1 or 2 Secretaries: Secretary of the Educational Council or Head of the Secondary Level Specialized Group of the school,

- Members: Class advisors of the final secondary level classes, other teachers teaching secondary level classes, and the General Leader of the Ho Chi Minh Youth Pioneer Corps of the school, Secretary of the School Youth League.

Article 20. In special cases, if a primary and secondary school is deemed not to have sufficient management conditions to properly conduct the examination and graduation assessment, the district education office (after obtaining approval from the provincial education department) may allow the school to take the exam and graduation assessment together with another school; or assign additional capable staff from elsewhere to assist in conducting the examination and graduation assessment at that school.

Article 21. The Examination and Graduation Assessment Board is responsible for:

1. Rechecking the entire file and eligibility of candidates in accordance with the examination regulations, preparing all necessary material resources and procedures to ensure the normal and strict conduct of the examination and graduation assessment.

2. Organizing and conducting the examination and marking in accordance with the prescribed format, examination regulations, and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education.

3. Reviewing and approving the graduation results for each student in accordance with the standards set by the Ministry.

4. Implementing and recommending commendations and disciplinary actions against students and teachers who comply with or violate the examination regulations and graduation assessment.

Article 22. The Ministry of Education is responsible for:

1. Issuing the Examination and Graduation Assessment Regulations for Primary and Secondary Schools, directives, circulars guiding the organization of the examination and graduation assessment, examination procedures, and specific solutions to issues arising during the examination and graduation assessment period.

2. Determining the subjects, dates, times, contents, and formats of the examination and graduation assessment.

3. Directing and inspecting the entire process of organizing and guiding the examination and graduation assessment in localities.

Annually, the Ministry of Education will establish inspection teams to check the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools in various localities.

Article 23. The People's Committees of provinces, cities, and centrally governed municipalities are responsible for:

1. Directing the provincial education departments to fully and strictly implement the Examination and Graduation Assessment Regulations for Primary and Secondary Schools issued by the Ministry of Education.

2. Considering the proposals of the provincial education departments and issuing decisions to establish the Examination Question Setting Board, the Steering and Inspection Committee for the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools in the province, city, or centrally governed municipality.

3. Directing the People's Committees at all levels and relevant sectors to support and create favorable conditions for the education sector to organize the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools effectively.

Article 24. The provincial education departments are accountable to the Ministry of Education and the People's Committees of provinces, cities, and centrally governed municipalities for the entire examination and graduation assessment work of primary and secondary schools within their jurisdiction. Specifically:

1. Directing the completion of grading and evaluation of students' performance throughout the academic year and the preparation of necessary files, books, and materials for the examination and graduation assessment at primary and secondary schools.

2. Setting examination questions, guiding the marking and scoring uniformly for the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools within their jurisdiction in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Ministry.

3. Directing and inspecting the entire process of organizing and guiding the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools at district education offices and examination and graduation assessment boards.

4. Approving graduation results and issuing graduation certificates; implementing commendations and disciplinary actions during the examination and graduation assessment in accordance with the procedures and regulations of the Ministry of Education.

Article 25. The People's Committees of districts, counties, and towns are responsible for organizing and guiding the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools in their jurisdictions in accordance with the Ministry of Education's regulations. Specifically:

1. Directing the district education offices, primary and secondary schools, and examination and graduation assessment boards to fully and strictly implement the Examination and Graduation Assessment Regulations for Primary and Secondary Schools issued by the Ministry of Education.

2. Considering the proposals of the district education offices and issuing decisions to establish examination and graduation assessment boards, re-examination committees, steering and inspection committees (including monitoring groups for the examination and graduation assessment boards) for the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools in their jurisdictions.

3. Directing relevant sectors to support and create favorable conditions for the education sector to organize the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools in their jurisdictions.

4. Directing the People's Committees of communes, wards, and towns to organize the examination and graduation assessment at primary and secondary schools in their jurisdictions to perform the following tasks:

- Ensuring that primary and secondary schools strictly follow the Examination and Graduation Assessment Regulations of the Ministry of Education;

- Ensuring safety and creating favorable conditions for the examination and graduation assessment of primary and secondary schools. Based on the school's proposal, organizing a security and service team for the examination and graduation assessment board in their jurisdiction.

Article 26. The Department of Education is responsible before the Provincial Department of Education and the People's Committee of the district, city, or town for all work related to directing the conduct of the examination and graduation assessment of general secondary education in their locality (from the preparation stage to the stages of examination supervision, marking, graduation assessment, reviewing graduation results...) according to the Ministry of Education's Regulations.

Chapter VI

REVIEWING GRADUATION RESULTS, ISSUING GRADUATION CERTIFICATES,

PRESERVING AND STORING EXAMINATION RECORDS

AND GRADUATION ASSESSMENTS OF GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION

Article 27. The Head of the Department of Education is responsible for preliminary review of graduation results proposed by examination boards and graduation assessment committees at general secondary schools. The Director of the Provincial Department of Education conducts the final approval. Graduation results are officially confirmed only after the Provincial Department of Education has approved them. If any cases of errors or omissions are discovered after publication, the Provincial Department of Education will correct them and immediately announce the corrected results. Issuing graduation certificates to students is the responsibility of the Director of the Provincial Department of Education. At the latest, 60 days after announcing the graduation results, the graduation certificates must be delivered to each school.

Article 28. Each year, general secondary schools organize graduation ceremonies for students in the final grade II classes during the opening ceremony of the new academic year. Certificates of graduation and handover of graduating students will take place during this ceremony.

Article 29. The preservation and storage of examination records and graduation assessments of general secondary education are regulated as follows:

1. The list recording the names and scores of students participating in the examination, graduation assessment, and special case graduation assessment must be stored indefinitely at the Provincial Department of Education (one copy), at the Department of Education (one copy), and at the general secondary school (one copy).

2. The Department of Education must store for at least one year all minutes of examination boards and graduation assessment committees and files of students participating in special case graduation assessment.

3. General secondary schools must store for at least one year all examination papers of students participating in the examination.

Chapter VII

REWARD AND DISCIPLINE IN THE EXAMINATION PERIOD

AND GRADUATION ASSESSMENTS OF GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION

Article 30. Rewarding and enforcing discipline on officials, teachers involved in examination and graduation assessment, those serving the examination and graduation assessment period, and students participating in the examination and graduation assessment must be carried out according to the following principles:

1. The form of reward and punishment for individuals and the basis for determining the level of achievement or specific misconduct of individuals during the implementation of their tasks are specified in the Examination and Graduation Assessment Regulations of the Ministry of Education.

2. Rewards and punishments must be conducted strictly, democratically, promptly, and have educational effects on officials, teachers, students, and those serving the examination and graduation assessment period.

Article 31. Forms of rewarding officials, teachers, and those serving the examination and graduation assessment include:

1. The Principal of the general secondary school commends before the entire staff of the school.

2. The Head of the Department of Education commends within the scope of general secondary schools in the district, city, or town.

3. The People's Committee of the district, city, or town or the Provincial Department of Education issues commendation certificates.

Article 32. Forms of disciplinary action against officials, teachers, and those serving the examination and graduation assessment include the following four types, decided by the competent management authority:

1. Reprimand before the entire staff of the department within the school premises.

2. Warning and informing the entire staff of the department within the district, city, or town.

3. Demotion in job position, demotion in technical rank, reduction in salary, and transfer to other duties.

4. Forced termination of employment or prosecution before the law.

Article 33. For officials, teachers, and those serving the examination and graduation assessment, if they violate the Regulations while performing their duties at the examination board and graduation assessment committee and their misconduct directly affects the examination and graduation assessment, they must be recorded in a report and immediately suspended from their current duties.

- The Chairman of the Examination Board and Graduation Assessment Committee has the right to suspend the duties of Vice Chairmen, members of the Board, and those serving the examination and graduation assessment.

- The People's Committee of the district, city, or town or the Director of the Provincial Department of Education has the right to suspend the duties of the Chairman of the Examination Board and Graduation Assessment Committee and members of the inspection and supervision team for the general secondary examination and graduation assessment.

Article 34. Forms of rewarding students participating in the examination and graduation assessment include:

1. The Principal of the general secondary school issues commendation certificates to students who graduate with good grades and those with outstanding achievements during the examination period.

2. The Provincial Department of Education issues commendation certificates to students who graduate with excellent grades.

Article 35. Forms of disciplinary action against students participating in the examination and graduation assessment include:

1. Invigilators reprimand students in the examination room.

2. The Chairman of the Examination Board and Graduation Assessment Committee warns students in front of the entire examination group or suspends their participation in remaining subjects.

3. The Examination Board does not mark the examination papers, nullifies the graduation results.

4. After the Examination Board and Graduation Assessment Committee have completed their work, if any misconduct by students during the examination and graduation assessment is discovered, the Provincial Department of Education may nullify the graduation results and revoke the graduation certificate (if issued).

5. The Provincial Department of Education prohibits students from participating in examinations and graduation assessments for one to two years.

All cases of disciplinary action against students must be publicly announced before the Examination Board and Graduation Assessment Committee and notified to the student's family and school.

Chapter VIII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 36. This Regulation applies to the examination and graduation assessment of general secondary education throughout the country starting from the 1985-1986 academic year.

Article 37. The Ministry of Education will issue guiding documents to implement this Regulation.

Article 38. The Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces, cities, and centrally-administered municipalities, the Director of the Office of the Ministry, the Heads of the Cadre Organization Department, the Heads of the General Secondary Schools Department of the Ministry of Education, and the Directors of Provincial Departments of Education are responsible for implementing this Regulation.