A grade school in Hanoi that awarded confusing certificates of merit to its students has ordered a retrieval of the papers in exchange for new ones.

Tan Phuong Elementary School in Ung Hoa District has sparked online debate after a photo was posted on Facebook of a certificate of merit earned by a first grader in the school, which stated that the student had been awarded ‘the title of single-facetedly commended student’.

The confusing title baffled parents and social media users, who could barely grasp what it intended to mean.

When asked by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, vice headmaster of the school Duong Thi Nu explained that the certificate had been in compliance with the spirit of a recent circular which encouraged teachers to comment on their students’ specific strengths and individual development, instead of evaluating their ability based solely on test results.

The vice headmaster added that the school had decided to go with either the titles ‘multi-facetedly commended student’ (for those who had succeeded in all aspects) or ‘single-facetedly commended student’ (for those who had performed well in a specific field), for fear of teachers making mistakes when writing specific comments.

According to senior officials at the Bureau of Education and Training of Ung Hoa District, they had requested the retrieval of 149 certificates already issued after they made local headlines last week.

Teachers at Tan Phuong Elementary School have visited each of the 149 students’ homes to collect the certificates and handed them new ones with more detailed comments.

The newly appointed Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said on Monday during a visit to schools in Ho Chi Minh City that the ministry would review the circular in question, admitting that “right policies with wrong implementation spell disaster”.

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