What does the Ministry of Education and Training say about the lack of textbooks?

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son said that currently there is no directive from higher levels regarding the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) compiling a set of textbooks.

Thứ trưởng Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo giải thích việc thiếu sách giáo khoa

The new general education program implements a variety of textbooks.

Regarding the lack of textbooks, especially for the first grades to change books such as grades 4, 8 and 11, at the Government press conference on the afternoon of June 3, Mr. Hoang Minh Son - Deputy Minister of Education and Training said that the reason is partly due to localities choosing books late this year, and partly due to waiting for price approval in some localities. Up to this point, localities have approved all types of books.

The Ministry of Education and Training has worked with the Education Publishing House many times to resolve internal difficulties, along with directing the development of plans, first of all, books from previous years that are not new books, books for other classes, have been proactively printed in advance and have basically been completed.

Mr. Son added that the books for grades 4, 8, and 11 are all new. As of yesterday, the bidding for printing nearly 80% of the books has been opened, and about 20% is based on the localities' full reports so that the Education Publishing House can plan the printing. In June, 80% will be printed and will continue to be printed in time for the new school year, with enough books for grades 4, 8, and 11. This will complete enough books for general education.

Regarding the issue of textbook compilation, the policy of socializing textbooks, compiling, publishing and printing textbooks is a major policy that has been proposed in Resolution No. 88 of 2014 of the National Assembly. The 14th National Assembly also has Resolution No. 122 that when compiling textbooks by the socialized method, if a specific subject has completed at least a set of textbooks that have been appraised and approved, then the compilation of textbooks using the state budget for that subject will not be implemented.

According to Mr. Son, this time all approved classes (9/12 classes) have 3 sets of textbooks. The Ministry of Education and Training will strictly implement Resolution 122 of the National Assembly. In the near future, it will continue to review and approve 3 final grade textbooks for grades 5, 9, and 12 (review and approval will be in June).

Thus, there is currently no directive from higher levels regarding the Ministry of Education and Training compiling textbooks.

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