Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính presides over the meeting on Wednesday afternoon. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has stressed equal access to education as he chaired a national meeting on the 2025 high school graduation exams on Wednesday.

The exams are set to take place next week, from June 25 to 28.

This year’s exams take place during a pivotal transition as the country adopts the two-tier local governance model starting July, he noted.

The Government leader emphasised that administrative restructuring must not affect the preparations and organisation of the exams, with priority placed on safety, transparency, fairness, quality and compliance with regulations set by the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).

The high school graduation exams are an important milestone in students’ lives that not only marks their maturity but also shapes their future paths, PM Chính said, which must receive thorough attention and support from local Party committees, authorities, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and socio-political entities.

The exam results will be used for high school graduation decisions as well as university and college admissions.

“It is a must to ensure all students have equal access to learning and career choices. No one should be left behind or in disadvantaged circumstances,” said the PM.

The MoET and relevant ministries, departments and localities are tasked with issuing guidelines in alignment with the two-tier governance model, preparing exam questions that fit both the old and new general education programmes, as well as ensuring infrastructure for the exams.

During the meeting, localities reported on bottlenecks and proposed solutions to ensure that the exams are conducted with precision and efficiency in terms of facilities, personnel training, secure handling and transport of exam material as well as the grading process.

PM Chính also highlighted the need to review and ensure security, safety, public health, disease prevention, food safety, power and water supply readiness.

Exam organisers are also required to make contingency plans and prepare responses to extreme weather and natural disasters.

Special attention will be paid to supporting students in remote and underprivileged areas with the mobilisation of youth unions and socio-political organisations.

PM Chính underscored the necessity to create the most favourable conditions for candidates and exam invigilators, ensuring equal access so that the exam becomes a true nationwide event for students, educators, and the education sector as a whole.

No wrongdoings or misconduct are allowed to occur at any stage of the upcoming high school graduation exam, said the head of the Government.

He stressed the need to absolutely ensure safety, honesty, and objectivity in all stages; ensure clear and accountable management during the exams, leaving no gaps and absolutely avoiding any neglect of oversight; and ensure the most favourable conditions for all candidates.

All steps and procedures of the exam organisation work must be reviewed and inspected, especially the assignment of duties to involved organisations and individuals, he noted.

PM Chính also expressed his hope that students will remain calm and confident, make the most of the knowledge and skills they have acquired, see this not merely as an exam, but as one of the most memorable milestones in their lives, a valuable opportunity to prove themselves and open new doors to their future.

The leader called on the entire political system, from central to local levels, along with schools, families, and society as a whole, to uphold the highest sense of responsibility, unity, and determination to successfully organise the 2025 national high school graduation exam.

He also showed his hope and confidence that, with thorough preparations, strong responsibility, and close coordination, the exams will be conducted safely, seriously, fairly, and objectively, achieving the set goals.

The PM took this occasion to request the MoET to continue researching and soon develop a clear roadmap and specific plan for a sufficient, high-quality exam question bank aligned with the national general education curriculum.

He also instructed the ministry to prepare a proposal outlining the necessary conditions to pilot computer-based testing in selected localities starting in 2027, with the goal of fully implementing computer-based national high school graduation exams as soon as possible.

The ministries and sectors must provide training and guidance for localities to implement measures to prevent misconduct, especially the use of high-tech devices and artificial intelligence (AI) to cheat during the exams, PM Chính emphasised. — VNS