On August 12, a parent in Thanh Son Ward (Phan Rang - Thap Cham City) told Tuoi Tre Online that early last month, when she brought her child to Thanh Son Primary School to register for first grade, the principal "tested" her on reading the text in the textbook. The parent expressed her anger because her child had not yet studied, so why was she forced to read the text in the book?

"Test" letters with students not yet in grade 1

Ms. NTXH (in Thanh Son ward, Phan Rang - Thap Cham city) said that on August 1, she took her child to Thanh Son Primary School to complete the procedures to enter first grade according to the educational program.

Here, the school principal directed a teacher to take a first grade textbook, open it to the middle, and ask Ms. H's child to read about 10 words.

"The principal said that if my child could read well, she would accept his application to enter first grade. But my child is not in first grade yet, so he can only read 6-7 words. The principal said he is still weak so she did not accept him," said Ms. H.

Ms. H. said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy in Ho Chi Minh City was facing difficulties, so from the beginning of 2023, she returned to her hometown in Ninh Thuan to do business.

"In 2023, because I did not understand that I had to register my permanent residence for more than 6 months before I could send my child to school, I registered late, causing my child to be 1 year late. My child was born in 2017 and should have been in 2nd grade this year," Ms. H. shared.

Request to be resolved before August 15

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Lam - principal of Thanh Son Primary School - explained that there had never been a reading regulation, but because she saw that Ms. H's child was born in 2017 and was one year late for first grade, she instructed the teacher to give the child a book to try reading, and if it was okay, then she would accept the application.

"We didn't have to test him on reading anything, it was just a misunderstanding from the parents. The school is considering it and will have a plan to accept him early so he has the opportunity to go to school," said Ms. Lam.

Regarding this, Ms. Tran Thi Huong - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Phan Rang - Thap Cham City - said that she was aware of the matter. The Department is directing Thanh Son Primary School to urgently consider accepting the above case.

"I have asked the principal to consider the application for the child soon, and by August 15 at the latest, the child must be allowed to go to school," said Ms. Huong.