Brian Jeffrey
Discussion on Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2024
On October 9, the National Assembly Standing Committee evaluated the government’s socio-economic development strategy for 2024, along with proposed goals for 2025.
Concerns Over Educational Integrity
A key issue highlighted by the Economic Committee involved the 2024 controversy surrounding “fake education, real degrees,” particularly at the highest levels of academia. There has been a lack of a clear and effective response from state education authorities regarding this matter.
Case of Disputed Academic Credentials
The report brought up the case of Vuong Tan Viet (Thich Chan Quang), who obtained a PhD from Hanoi Law University just two years after earning a part-time law degree. However, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education later confirmed that he was not listed among those who passed the high school graduation exams in 1989, raising questions about his qualifications.
Advocating for Quality over Process
Nguyen Dac Vinh, who chairs the National Assembly’s Education and Culture Committee, recognized improvements in the education sector but insisted that enhanced quality control is essential in light of recent events. He stressed that the focus should shift from merely following procedures to ensuring the substance and quality of academic work, stating, “If we only emphasis on procedures, we might still miss the mark on quality.”
Need for Immediate Action
Vinh called for urgent reforms in education, mentioning that while the prevalence of such issues is not widespread, they still warrant serious attention.
Challenges Faced by Families
Meanwhile, Nguyen Thanh Hai, the head of the National Assembly’s Delegate Affairs Committee, noted positive trends in the education sector, particularly in examination outcomes. However, she pointed out persistent challenges such as high school fees at the beginning of the academic year. This issue has been longstanding and requires new solutions. “Many families are affected by this ongoing problem, and it is crucial for the government to clarify its achievements and what still needs to be resolved,” she explained.
Textbook Costs and Accessibility
Hai also raised alarms about expensive textbooks, highlighting a recent reform where different sets of books are adopted by schools, leading to significant costs for students who transfer schools—potentially up to 300,000 VND, which can be a financial burden for families in rural areas. She proposed establishing school libraries for textbook borrowing and exploring systems for donating books from urban students to those facing hardships due to disasters.
