Despite a challenging school year, Integrated English Program students in Ho Chi Minh City continued to achieve high results in the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE, surpassing the global average scores.
Impressive achievements
Acknowledging the positive outcomes of the TATH program in the 2020–2021 school year, Ms. Đỗ Thị Minh Nguyệt, Country Representative and Director of Pearson Education in Vietnam, sent a congratulatory letter to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and the implementing organization, EMG Education.
In her letter, she expressed her admiration for the TATH students’ achievements under the difficult conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly noting that students achieved results higher than the global average in several subjects.
Ms. Đỗ Thị Minh Nguyệt emphasized:
"Pearson highly values the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE results of June 2021 for students in the Integrated Program implemented by the Department of Education and Training in collaboration with EMG Education in Ho Chi Minh City."
Among over 200 TATH students registered for the International GCSE assessment at the high school level in 2020–2021, 100% of students passed all subjects. The percentage of students achieving Good or higher was nearly 98% in English, 98% in Mathematics, and 82% in Science. Notably, 75% of students achieved Excellent scores in Mathematics, exceeding the global rate of 65%.
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE is an internationally recognized qualification for students at the equivalent of Year 11 in the UK national curriculum. Issued by Pearson Education, the UK’s largest examination board, the certificate holds global recognition and is equivalent to the UK GCSE.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries were unable to conduct in-person International GCSE exams during the 2020–2021 school year. In response, Pearson Education applied a comprehensive assessment method, evaluating students based on their overall learning process.
Mr. David Casey, Chief Strategy Officer – Assessment, Pearson Edexcel, explained:
"The International GCSE grades are based on the student’s continuous learning process, a method approved and certified by the Pearson Edexcel Examination Board. Official scores are compiled from class tests, homework, mock exams, and other non-exam assessments."
Globally recognized qualification
Because in-person exams were not possible, some provisional grade reports may show a score of ‘0’ in the exam column. This does not reflect actual performance but indicates that the student did not sit for an in-person exam. The final grade on the certificate, ranging from 1 to 9, is fully recognized and valid globally.
Mr. David Casey also noted that Pearson will continue applying appropriate assessment methods to ensure students receive the best possible learning experience during the pandemic.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (Sample Certificate)
For primary and lower secondary students, it is expected that they will be able to sit for the International General Education Qualification at the end of their respective levels (end of Grade 5 and Grade 9) in October 2021.
During periods when students cannot take in-person exams due to pandemic restrictions, to avoid disrupting teaching and enrollment, and to support schools and parents in tracking students’ learning progress and results, authorized partners of Pearson Education, such as EMG Education, can provide equivalent assessment information on students’ academic performance.
The 2020–2021 school year, full of challenges and difficulties, has passed. Teachers and students across Vietnam are stepping into a new school year 2021–2022, which promises to still face many obstacles as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
Despite the difficulties, looking back at the journey of pandemic response and the achievements of the previous school year, we can feel confident to continue building on these accomplishments, while simultaneously introducing innovations and adaptations to ensure our students achieve excellent learning outcomes, comparable with their peers around the world in 2021–2022 and beyond.
Source: Tuổi Trẻ Newspaper
