A delegation from the Vietnamese embassy recently visited BOSTES to discuss the merits of the HSC.

The Vietnamese Counsellor (Education), Dr. Chu Duc Nha, was interested in how the HSC combines school based assessments and external examinations in a broad range of subjects, into a single qualification for school leavers suitable for entry into university and vocational education and training.

He met with Paul Hewitt, Executive Director, Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment, and other senior BOSTES staff, to learn more about the flexibility and inclusive nature of the HSC.

“Perhaps the greatest achievement of the HSC is that it caters for all students while remaining a rigorous academic qualification,” said Mr Hewitt.

(From right to left) Vietnamese Counsellor (Education), Dr. Chu Duc Nha, with Paul Hewitt, Executive Director, Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment and Andrew Goodyer, Director, Research of BOSTES.

At present Vietnam operates a dual exam system with two separate nation-wide examination periods for Year 12 students, one in June for their Upper Secondary Education Certificate, similar to the HSC, and another in July for tertiary admission.

“Because these two examination periods are very close, within a month, they put a lot of pressure on students, parents, schools and educational authorities. They also put pressure on transport and communities in July, as Year 12 students, often accompanied by parents, have to travel to university campuses in big cities to take the tertiary admission examinations,” explained Dr Chu Duc Nha.

“We are now planning to combine these two examination periods into a single examination period for both purposes. I think it would be very useful if we can learn from the HSC in how to best achieve that,” said Dr Chu.