The competition continues to face integrity and honesty issues that require effective solutions.
BEFORE 2012, scientific and technical research activities carried out by Vietnamese high school students were mainly spontaneous, lacking scientific standards, and not integrated into the official school curriculum.
Between 2009 and 2012, the Ministry of Education and Training began adopting the model of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) through workshops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and also sent students to participate as independent candidates. A decisive turning point occurred during the 2012-2013 school year when the national competition for scientific and technological research was officially organized according to this model. It was not only an adoption of organizational techniques but also a strategic measure, allowing Vietnamese students to access international research standards.
Since then, the competition has gradually improved with a greater variety of fields, a three-level selection process (school, provincial, and national), and a well-structured mentoring mechanism.
The main challenge is the regional disparity. Urban schools with quality infrastructure and teachers have a clear advantage, while rural and mountainous students lack materials, guidance, and a conducive research environment. This disparity directly affects the fairness of the competition.
Another troubling issue is students doing work for others, bypassing their actual skills. Many subjects lack originality, are repetitive, or follow trends to win awards, which hampers creativity. The pressure of results sometimes turns competitions into a race for titles. The problem lies not in the regulations themselves but in their application and the promotion of a culture of honesty.
In the United States, scientific and engineering competitions for high school students, such as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), were established in 1950 to promote scientific education after World War II. over 70 years, ISEF has become a symbol of global scientific culture.
ViSEF, the national science and technology competition in Vietnam, has been implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training since 2012. However, despite following the ISEF model, the Vietnamese competition has faced controversies related to cheating, prize withdrawals, and a decline in public trust.
A scientific and technological project cannot be completed in a few weeks, requiring time, resources, and the expertise of specialists. In the US, students have access to university laboratories, collaborate with scientists, and keep detailed research records. In Vietnam, these conditions are highly unequal, with many students conducting research in precarious conditions.
To restore the original nature of the competition, it is essential to separate it from administrative pressures, focus on the process over the product, strengthen verification mechanisms, redefine the role of supervisors, and develop a culture of scientific integrity in schools.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuoc-thi-nghien-cuu-khkt-quoc-gia-bien-dang-ban-chat-do-hanh-chinh-hoa-185260402193234746.htm
