Teachers will now give both grades and remarks to primary school students instead of just providing grades. They will also not be allowed to use words that may “hurt” students. The new regulation will take effect on December 11, 2009.

Le Thi Bich Ngoc, who has a son attending first grade this year, related that after two months of school, his son has become afraid because he has been criticized for not writing well and being slow in math.

Now, new rules promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) aim to encourage students’ creativeness and self-education and also alleviate pressure on both students and teachers.

Le Ngoc Diep, Head of the Primary Education Division under the HCM City Education and Training Department, said that the city’s education department is drafting a document to revise assessments of first grade students. Teachers will not give grades on students’ tests or exercise works in the first semester, but will only offer comments.

Diep believes that this method will ease the stiff competition among students such as those learning to read and write before they attend first grade. Students who cannot read and write will not feel ashamed because they get lower marks than students who can.

Headmaster of Luong The Vinh Primary School Ly Van Hue agreed, stating that this is a “humanitarian change.”  He also suggested that teachers be trained in new ways of assessing students. “They need to practice giving constructive comments,” he asserted.

Under the new regulations by MOET, there will be two categories of subjects. The first category, including Vietnamese language, sciences, geography and history, foreign languages and informatics, teachers will assess students’ capability through both grade and remarks. Meanwhile, teachers will provide only comments in the second category, including morality, music, arts and physical education.

According to Nguyen Thanh Huyen, Deputy Headmaster of Dich Vong A Primary School, explained that previously teachers had to give grades on regular tests and semester-end exams. Under the new regulations, they will only give grades on semester-end exams.

Parents have applauded the new rules. When very young students are not “humiliated” in front of their class, they feel more confident in learning.

MOET now gives greater responsibility to teachers. Head teachers will take the main role in assessing students and these assessments will not be made public in class or in parents’ meetings

Le Thi Ngoc Diep, Headmaster of Nguyen Binh Khiem Primary School, explained that teachers must have sense of justice and fairness in offering assessments, because the remarks are at times more important than the grades.

“Unfair comments become obsessions throughout students’ entire lives,” Diep admitted.

(Source: VietNamNet)