Schools "count" likes on Facebook and Zalo to grade students' papers?

"I was very upset when I learned that Bui Thi Xuan School grades students' assignments based on likes and shares on Facebook and Zalo," said a parent at Bui Thi Xuan High School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to parents, Bui Thi Xuan High School announced that it will let 10th grade students go see the play Love is to escape crime at Tran Huu Trang Theater. Each student will pay 65,000 VND. After watching the play, students will do a report in groups of 8 to 10 students.

The essay will be graded as follows: The evaluation scale is 10 points. In which, the content of the play: 3 points; beautiful essay design: 3 points; posting on personal Facebook and Zalo with over 100 likes: 2 points; sharing on personal page with over 50 shares: 2 points.

"I understand that the test scores will be used to add bonus points to the literature subject.

I agree to let my child go to the theater. But I do not agree with the school grading students' work based on likes and shares on Facebook and Zalo.

In assessing students, only teachers have the ability and authority to grade students' work. Why do we have to rely on likes and shares on Facebook and Zalo?", this parent asked.

"For students who do not use or rarely use social networks, where do they get likes and shares to get points? Not to mention that high school students are very competitive. All of them want to get a lot of likes and shares, so they have to ask this person or that person to like and share for them. Then there will be students who do not focus on studying but only on counting likes and shares on Facebook and Zalo, what then?", the parent added.

What does the principal say about "counting" Facebook likes and Zalo scores?

Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School, said: "I have watched the play Love is Escape 19 times. Realizing that this is a good and meaningful play, the school organized for students to watch it.

This is an optional activity. Students who go and complete the assignment in groups will receive bonus points for their literature test. That is, each group of students will make a clip, then post it on Facebook or Zalo. Depending on the product, they will receive 1-2 points added to their regular literature test."

Regarding parents' concerns about grading methods and requiring students to post on Facebook and Zalo, Mr. Phu said: "This is the school's way of educating students to use social networks in a civilized manner.

Nowadays, social networks exist objectively, causing headaches for managers. For some people, incorrect information, reactionary information is also liked and shared. Now, students of Bui Thi Xuan School post clips on social networks that are their cultural products to spread the good and the beautiful...".