Vietnam: Do graduation certificates in lower secondary education indicate graduation grading?

Do graduation certificates in lower secondary education in Vietnam indicate graduation grading?

Article 8 of the Regulation on Graduation Recognition in Lower Secondary Education, issued together with Decision 11/2006/QD-BGDDT (which expired on February 15, 2024), stipulates:

graduation grading

1. Graduation results for students at educational institutions are classified into 3 categories: Excellent, Good, Average based on conduct and academic performance; if the student is not classified for conduct, then only academic performance result is considered:

a) Excellent: good conduct, excellent academic performance;

b) Good: conduct from good upwards, good academic performance or good conduct, excellent academic performance;

c) Average: for all other cases.

2. Students recognized for graduation as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 7, of this Regulation are classified as average.

On the other hand, Article 9 of the Regulation on Graduation Recognition in Lower Secondary Education, issued together with Circular 31/2023/TT-BGDDT, regulates the issuance of graduation certificates as follows:

Issuance of certificate of graduation

1. Students recognized for graduation shall be issued with certificate of graduation for lower secondary education.

2. Management, issuance, revision, revocation, and cancellation of certificate of graduation for lower secondary education shall conform to regulations on management of certificates and degrees of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Therefore, before February 15, 2024, graduation certificates in lower secondary education issued will indicate classification. However, when Circular 31/2023/TT-BGDDT comes into effect, this stipulation will no longer apply.

Thus, from the 2024-2025 academic year, graduation certificates in lower secondary education will not indicate graduation grading.

Do graduation certificates in lower secondary education in Vietnam indicate graduation grading? (Image from the Internet)

What are the conditions for graduation recognition in lower secondary education in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Regulation on Graduation Recognition in Lower Secondary Education, issued together with Circular 31/2023/TT-BGDDT, the conditions for graduation recognition in lower secondary education in Vietnam are:

Students shall be recognized for graduation if they:

- Are not older than 21 years old (in a calendar year) if they finish Formal education program for lower secondary education; or are at least 15 years old (in a calendar year) if they finish Continuous education program for lower secondary education.

In case of students returning from overseas, participating in accelerated study, attending class at an older age, regulations on age and grades of the Ministry of Education and Training.

- Have completed Formal education program for lower secondary education or Continuous education program for lower secondary education.

- Have adequate documents according to Article 6 hereof.

Who does the Council for graduation recognition in lower secondary education in Vietnam consist of?

According to Article 7 of the Regulation on Graduation Recognition in Lower Secondary Education, issued together with Circular 31/2023/TT-BGDDT, the council for graduation recognition in lower secondary education includes Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and members:

- The Chairperson shall be the principal or director or head (hereinafter referred to as “figurehead”) of education institution or their second-in-command in education institution;

- The Vice Chairperson shall be second-in-command of figurehead or leaders of professional team of education institution;

- Members of the Council shall be teachers, including class teachers of ninth grade, representatives of school councils, secretaries of the Communist Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City or leaders of Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization of education institutions;

- The Secretary of the Council shall be selected among Council members.

The Council shall have an odd number of total members and at least 7 members.

What is the purpose of graduation recognition in lower secondary education in Vietnam?

Under Article 2 of the Regulation on Graduation Recognition in Lower Secondary Education, issued together with Circular 31/2023/TT-BGDDT, the purpose, requirements, and basis for graduation recognition are as follows:

Purpose, requirements, and basis for graduation recognition

1. Graduation recognition serves to verify education level of students and learners (hereinafter referred to as “students”) who have finished Formal education program for lower secondary education or Continuous education program for lower secondary education.

2. Graduation recognition must be accurate, fair, transparent, and objective.

3. Graduation recognition shall rely on disciplinary and academic results of the ninth grade.

Article 3. Number of occasions of graduation recognition in a year

1. In respect of education institutions providing Formal education program for lower secondary education, graduation recognition shall be implemented at most twice per year in which students finish ninth grade. The first occasion takes place immediately as a school year ends. The second occasion (if any) takes place before the opening ceremony of a new school year.

2. In respect of education institutions providing Continuous education program for lower secondary education, graduation recognition shall be implemented at least once per year in which students finish ninth grade at the end of the school year.

Thus, the graduation recognition serves to verify education level of students and learners (hereinafter referred to as “students”) who have finished Formal education program for lower secondary education or Continuous education program for lower secondary education.