Minister of Education and Training informs about the roadmap for building a set of common textbooks

GD&TĐ - Minister Nguyen Kim Son said that the Ministry of Education and Training will try to have a plan to build a common set of textbooks by November and submit it to the Government for approval.

Agree on the regulation of a common set of textbooks nationwide

On the afternoon of October 22, the National Assembly discussed in groups three draft laws: Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the 2019 Law on Education ; Law on Vocational Education (amended); Law on Higher Education (amended).

The draft revised Law on Education has received much attention from National Assembly deputies when it mentions the regulation that the State provides a set of textbooks for uniform use nationwide. At the same time, the Government stipulates that textbooks are free for students. This is the content that delegates have discussed enthusiastically.

Highly agreeing with the regulation of having one set of textbooks nationwide (in Article 32 of the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education), delegate Nguyen Huu Thong - Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Lam Dong province - acknowledged that this is a correct policy, in line with the Party's will and the people's wishes.

Regarding the content of the regulations on local educational materials, delegates basically agreed with the regulation that the authority to organize the compilation is for the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial People's Council to appraise, and the authority to approve the documents is transferred to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Delegating the authority to localities to proactively appraise and publish is reasonable, overcoming the current shortcomings.

Delegate Duong Khac Mai discussed at the group meeting - afternoon of October 22.

Agreeing with the policy of regulating a common set of textbooks nationwide, delegate Duong Khac Mai - Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation in Lam Dong province - said that through contact activities with voters in the locality, many parents expressed concerns that having many sets of textbooks could cause difficulties for students if they transfer schools.

Delegates recommended that it is necessary to consider clearly regulating how to print this book series, so that it can be passed on, avoiding wasting resources, and reducing the burden on parents and students.

Also supporting the unification of a common set of textbooks nationwide, delegate Thai Van Thanh - National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province commented that this not only ensures equal access for students, but also facilitates the management and unification of state agencies in education, school administration and synchronization for parents, reducing the complexity when students transfer schools.

Commenting on the general advantages of the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education, delegate Thai Van Thanh said that the draft Law demonstrates a high level of humanity, through the implementation of compulsory education for secondary school level (previously only applied to primary school level).

This ensures equal access to education for all students, regardless of their circumstances. In implementing compulsory education, the State has a responsibility to provide comprehensive care, including free tuition, provision of textbooks and ensuring learning conditions. This responsibility extends to all members of society and the entire political system.

Delegate Thai Van Thanh - National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province.

Thoroughly checked to ensure quality

Regarding local educational materials, delegate Thai Van Thanh said that the law clearly stipulates the autonomy of localities in developing, appraising and promulgating local educational programs (on culture, history and identity). After being appraised by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the locality has the right to print. Such a regulation aims to ensure a mechanism for timely implementation, avoiding delays like before.

Agreeing with the policy of using a common set of textbooks nationwide as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 32, delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh - National Assembly Delegation of Lam Dong province suggested that the drafting agency should reconsider the phrase "implementing appropriate socialized solutions for textbooks" in the draft Law.

According to the delegate, such regulations can easily cause misunderstandings in the compilation of many sets of books. If textbooks are socialized in other stages, it must be clearly stated to avoid misunderstandings. Specifically, regarding the socialization of printing and distribution: Exploit the capacity of non-state printing and distribution units to ensure timely supply of books, large quantities and the ability to control prices (the State has regulations on maximum prices for textbooks).

Regarding the socialization of reference materials: Textbooks compiled by non-state units can be converted into reference materials, encouraging diversity in teaching and learning methods, helping teachers have more rich sources of materials while still maintaining the standards of the official textbooks. Socialization in support services: Investing in school libraries, digital learning platforms, and other educational activities.

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri - National Assembly Delegate of Hanoi City spoke at the group meeting.

Believing that this is a correct policy, expected by the people, however, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri - National Assembly delegate of Hanoi City - acknowledged that immediately building a unified set of textbooks nationwide from the 2026 - 2027 school year will face many difficulties and challenges, due to the limited time and large workload.

Concerned that the implementation will not be on schedule, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri also asked Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son about the plan to develop a common set of textbooks. He also noted that if the Ministry plans to choose one of the three current sets of textbooks as the common set, it needs to be carefully reviewed to ensure quality.

Regarding the policy of providing free textbooks, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thinh - National Assembly Delegate of Hanoi City proposed that the drafting agency carefully study and soon issue specific instructions.

According to the delegate, textbooks can be printed and distributed to schools and schools can lend them to students. This way, it is free and economical, and there is no need to worry about having to buy textbooks every year.

"Of course, during use, if any book is damaged or lost by a student, compensation must be paid," Mr. Thinh suggested, adding that with this solution, the problem of free textbooks for students nationwide can be solved.

Overview of Hanoi City Youth Union meeting.

Discussing some issues related to textbooks, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son emphasized that a unified set of textbooks for the whole country will be implemented from the 2026-2027 school year.

The compilation, appraisal and promulgation of a unified set of textbooks will be carried out according to a strict and scientific process, inheriting the results achieved in the previous stage, while overcoming existing shortcomings.

The Ministry of Education and Training is developing a project and the project will have a specific plan. Regarding the process, the Ministry will ask for the General Secretary's opinion on the project, then submit it to the Prime Minister for approval. "We will try to have a plan by November," said the Minister.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/bo-truong-bo-gddt-thong-tin-ve-lo-trinh-xay-dung-bo-sach-giao-khoa-dung-chung-post753613.html