Recently, media outlets have been saturated with commentary on parents driving a race for academic achievement, buying awards, and inflating resumes. Reports cited educators who were “shocked” by portfolios full of perfect scores and accolades. Commentators called this a form of “teaching children to lie” and “buying the future.”
I find these critiques unnecessarily harsh and profoundly unscientific toward parents and students. With all due respect to the esteemed educators and journalists who voiced concern, these reactions suffer from several serious flaws:
I. The statistical error of alarmism (selection bias)
When a prestigious school (like those cited) receives 4,000 applications, and a significant portion show perfect scores, there is no need for shock. This is merely a statistical consequence known as selection bias.
- Obvious outcome: Good schools attract good students. If a school is reputed to be excellent, only students who already have high scores and accomplishments will dare to apply. High achievement is the entry criterion, not the exception.
- Global precedent: If you look at applications to top universities globally (including Harvard, Oxford, or even Vietnam’s own specialized high schools), you will find that perfect or near-perfect transcripts are the norm, not a suspicious anomaly. Being “shocked” by thousands of perfect scores in an elite applicant pool is a failure to understand basic admissions reality.
II. The misplaced skepticism of effort
It is unscientific to assume that high scores and numerous extracurricular achievements are automatically fraudulent or coerced.
- Genuine competence: Affluent urban families (in Hanoi or HCMC) have the resources to ensure their children receive comprehensive training—in sports, music, and academics. It is logical that these children will excel across multiple fields.
- Student agency: The current generation of students is highly opinionated and self-motivated. They are not easily coerced. I find it unlikely that parents can force a child to study tirelessly and compete effectively in sports simultaneously if the child does not possess internal drive. They are actively engaged in learning and competing.
- Grades are relative: The increase in high scores (9s and 10s) partly reflects a positive shift: teachers are less “niggardly” with high marks than the older generations, who suffered under a restrictive grading system (where an 8.0 was “excellent”). If a student earns a 10, they should receive a 10. The reduction in curriculum load and less harsh grading standards naturally increases the number of high scores.
III. The unjust accusation of corruption
The accusation that parents are universally “buying the future” or “running a scheme” is a profound insult to families and children with genuine pride.
- Integrity: Parents who can afford to pay for top private schools and specialized tutoring often possess sufficient integrity and pride to avoid paying for fraudulent report cards or academic honors. The number of people involved in outright fraud is small.
- The value of recognition: Why be stingy with recognition? Awards exist to honor effort. A participation award or an encouragement prize acknowledges a child’s commitment. International competitions are designed to grant awards to over 50% of participants. This is a celebration of effort, not just absolute victory. Why deny children this essential validation?
IV. The mandate for comprehensive investment
The ultimate truth is that good grades and strong extracurricular achievements are a positive signal of future success. They are indicators that a young person understands the discipline, sacrifice, and commitment required to succeed in life. No one who is lazy succeeds.
I am not bothered by high scores or extensive extracurricular activities. I am encouraged. At the very least, it signifies that parents are realizing the need for holistic investment in their children, emphasizing sports and soft skills alongside academics. This competitive but comprehensive race, though tiring, will ultimately yield a generation better equipped to win.
