“Once we have selected and committed to the campaign: Say no to frauds and the pursuit of exaggerated achievements in education, we will do it,” said Mr Nhan in an interview with the Tin Tuc (Bulletin) newspaper. “Without this, we will not be able to stop uneducated students passing graduation exams. This means students will have no motivation for study, teachers will have no motivation for teaching and the education sector will have no motivation for developing. We must do, otherwise other mottos such as Improve education quality will become meaningless.”

Mr Nhan said that there are three reasons to carry out the campaign successfully.

First, fighting exam frauds is for the real interests of students. Students begin new lives after school not just because of certificates, but because of their knowledge and abilities. It will be a pointless waste of their future if they need only empty certificates. 

“Student parents should know that the education sector has launched the campaign for no purposes except for the interests of their children. Therefore, they should warmly respond to it,” said Mr Nhan.

Second, the campaign is aimed at restoring teachers’ standings. By sticking to the campaign, teachers will no longer do things they feel ashamed of, like increasing marks for example.

Third, the campaign has received strong support from the administration and mass organisations. The ministry has sent “a letter of determination” to the top Party and State leaders, saying that the sector will trying its best to stop negative phenomena in education.

On September 2, the ministry signed with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Education Sector’s Trade Union, the Teachers Association, and the Vietnam Women’s Union to carry out the campaign. In addition, the ministry’s leaders have held working sessions with 22 cities and provinces.

“With strong support from students, their parents, teachers, Party and State leaders and the entire society, I am confident that the campaign will be a success,” said Mr Nhan.  

To implement the campaign, in the middle of September, Mr Nhan said the ministry will send draft criteria of emulation to all provincial and municipal departments of education and training for discussions and recommendations. The ministry will then gather opinions and issue a set of complete criteria, which is more realistic than previously. 

“This wil provide a foundation for the sector to develop and avoid unrealistic goals,” said Mr Nhan.