The 2026 high school graduation exam in Tuyên Quang Province created a public outcry due to an unusual number of perfect scores. At one exam site, 154 students received a score of 10 in Mathematics, with 147 of them coming from Tuyên Quang Gifted High School. Soon after, the police investigated the case and arrested a teacher named Nguyễn Hà Duy along with the exam site head, Trần Thị Thu Hằng. Officials discovered that supervisors directly gave answers to students during the exam.
This incident is similar to the famous 2018 exam scandal in Hà Giang, Sơn La, and Hòa Bình. Back then, corrupt officials illegally changed test scores on computers for hundreds of students, leading to long prison sentences for those involved. While the 2018 scandal relied on high-tech software manipulation, the 2026 case involved direct cheating inside the classroom. Both cases show that heavy pressure for high achievements and weak supervision still harm the education system.
From a legal perspective, exam cheating is not just a rule violation; it is a serious form of corruption that breaches the constitutional right to equal education. Under Article 356 of the Criminal Code, abusing power while performing official duties can lead to up to 15 years in prison. However, current laws still have gaps:
Lack of specific laws: There are no distinct legal categories for organized exam cheating or classroom assistance.
Unclear leadership accountability: High-level leaders often face minor administrative penalties rather than strict legal liability.
Weak protection for whistleblowers: Teachers who want to report cheating often feel unsafe to speak out.
To solve this problem permanently, experts suggest three main solutions:
Short-term technical solutions: Use AI cameras in classrooms, centralize the grading system, and analyze score patterns with software to flag anomalies instantly.
Medium-term legal changes: Create clear criminal punishments for classroom cheating and strictly hold test site leaders accountable.
Long-term educational reforms: Separate the high school graduation exam from university admissions. Reducing score pressure will help schools focus on genuine learning and honesty.
Restoring fairness to state examinations is essential to building public trust and protecting the quality of future generations.