Tuyên Quang High School for the Gifted

HÀ NỘI — Authorities in the northern province of Tuyên Quang have alleged that a vice principal directed examination misconduct at a national high school graduation examination site, as provincial officials pledged a comprehensive review of the incident and measures to safeguard affected students.

At a press conference on Thursday on the recent case where an unusual amount of perfect math scores in the exam has drawn national attention, investigators said initial findings showed that Trần Thị Thu Hằng, deputy principal of Nguyễn Văn Huyên High School and head of the examination board at the Tuyên Quang High School for the Gifted test site, instructed several invigilators to improperly assist candidates during the mathematics examination.

According to Colonel Trần Anh Tuấn, chief of the Advisory Division of the Tuyên Quang Provincial Police, the Ministry of Public Security ordered an investigation after irregularities emerged in the examination results at the test site.

Police said the investigation found that Nguyễn Hà Duy, a math teacher at Tuyên Quang High School for the Gifted who served as the examination board secretary, entered examination rooms and directly guided several candidates in answering mathematics questions under Hằng's direction.

Investigators said the actions seriously violated national examination regulations, undermined the fairness and integrity of the examination and caused widespread public concern.

On July 7, the provincial security investigation agency initiated criminal proceedings against four suspects on charges of abusing position and power while performing official duties under Article 356 of Việt Nam's Penal Code.

The suspects include Hằng, the examination board chief, and Duy, the examination board secretary.

Colonel Tuấn said investigators had initially determined that Duy's motive was driven by a desire to improve academic performance and examination results.

The investigation is continuing to determine the roles and responsibilities of all individuals involved, as well as the accountability of related organisations.

Due to the ongoing investigation, police said further details, including evidence and witness statements, could not yet be disclosed.

Nguyễn Mạnh Tuấn, Standing Vice Chairman of the Tuyên Quang People's Committee, said the province is conducting a comprehensive review of every stage of the examination process.

He stressed that public confidence in the examination system must be restored through transparency and pledged that no student would be unfairly harmed in terms of reputation or psychological wellbeing as a result of the case.

All parents support mathematics retest

At the same press conference, Hoàng Minh Cảnh, deputy director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, said the department had met all Year 12 students, private candidates and parents affected by the incident.

He said all 322 parents of students who took the examination at the test site, together with all six private candidates, unanimously requested that the mathematics examination be held again to ensure fairness, transparency and protect candidates' legitimate interests.

Based on those consultations, the department has submitted a proposal to the provincial People's Committee requesting that the Ministry of Education and Training organise a retest for the mathematics subject at the affected examination site.

The province has also asked the ministry to take the university and college admissions timetable into account so that candidates' opportunities for higher education are not adversely affected.

The education ministry later Thursday said they have received Tuyên Quang's request, and asked the local authorities to further clarify the nature of the violations.

Based on the national examination regulations, the province's handling of the case, the findings of competent authorities and a comprehensive assessment of the incident's impact, the ministry said it would decide on an appropriate course of action.

The ministry stressed that any decision would ensure objectivity, fairness, transparency and compliance with the law while also safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of candidates. 

Students with genuine academic ability should not have their educational opportunities affected, while the integrity, fairness and credibility of the national high school graduation examination must be upheld, it added.