Need a unified set of textbooks for quality and educational equity

From diverse learning materials to system stability requirements

The process of continuing to implement the 2018 General Education Program once opened up great expectations when the policy of socializing textbooks allowed many sets of books to coexist, creating conditions for content competition, encouraging innovation and bringing flexibility to teachers. However, after a number of years of application, the reality in many localities showed that the "picture" of diverse learning materials quickly revealed gaps that the policy had not yet filled.

The differences between textbooks, content approaches, teacher competency levels, and physical facilities have made it difficult for many schools to synchronize their teaching plans. Teachers have to constantly familiarize themselves with new books, and parents have to change books every year, leading to increased tuition costs and putting considerable pressure on families. In many cases, the lack of consistency between textbooks has also disrupted the development of digital learning materials, causing a waste of training and coaching resources.

*A unified set of textbooks is considered a key step to create a stable foundation for education and ensure learning equity for all students. Illustrative photo*

In education, textbooks are not just reference materials; they are the components that connect all teaching and learning activities, from lesson planning, testing, assessment, to digital transformation or compiling supplementary materials. Therefore, when textbooks fluctuate continuously, the stability of the entire teaching and learning system is also disrupted. From the perspective of education management, stable learning materials are the foundation for stabilizing the quality of education, helping teachers have time to invest in depth in methods, instead of repeating the cycle of "familiarizing - adapting - adjusting".

In this context, to carry out the tasks stated in Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, the draft Law on Education stipulates: " The Ministry of Education and Training decides on a set of general education textbooks to be used uniformly nationwide". The Government has assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to develop a report on the implementation plan of a unified set of textbooks nationwide from the 2026-2027 school year, according to the principles of publicity, transparency, objectivity, thrift and anti-waste; at the same time, inheriting the advantages of existing textbooks, ensuring no disruption to teaching and learning activities, minimizing the impact on teachers and students.

A correct set of books needs to be consistent, suitable and stable.

To become a national choice, according to education experts, the textbooks must meet a more stringent set of criteria than those applied in the previous period of textbook socialization.

First of all, the textbook set must cover all subjects of the 2018 General Education Program, including specific subjects; have unified local documents; a rich digital learning materials ecosystem (interactive exercises, videos , audios, training materials, etc.); come with a strong teacher training system; and have technological capacity to develop digital learning materials, AI applications and smart education models.

Second, the selling price must be reasonable and optimize social costs. The compilation, printing, and distribution process must be optimized to reduce costs, ensure low, transparent selling prices, and save money for parents and the state budget.

Third, popular and stable in practice. The book series is widely used by teachers and parents, limits annual changes, reduces training pressure and creates consistency in teaching, testing and assessment nationwide.

Fourth, ensure security and safety of supply. The book series must have a clear legal basis, the ability to supply widely, including in difficult areas; have a strong printing and distribution system, ready to respond in all conditions; and be convenient for free distribution or ordering with the budget.

Fifth, appropriate pedagogical methods. The content of the book must be consistent in philosophy, connecting from grade 1 to 12; supporting the development of teaching plans, teaching by topic; convenient in testing, assessing capacity and reducing the burden on teachers.

The decision to select a unified set of textbooks is not just a technical or professional decision. It is a strategic decision, demonstrating the State's responsibility in ensuring equitable learning, stabilizing the education system and effectively using social resources. When the set of textbooks is chosen correctly, the entire teaching and learning structure will have a foundation. At that time, teachers will no longer be passive in the face of change, parents will not have to spend extra money, schools can build long-term plans, and students will have access to consistent knowledge.

It is worth noting that stability does not mean stopping innovation. Stabilizing learning materials is the condition for innovation to take place in an orderly, planned and more effective manner. A set of correct textbooks will create a “track” for all other innovations in the industry, from digital transformation, innovation in assessment and evaluation, and improvement of teacher capacity to be implemented coherently and synchronously.

In the future, the quality of Vietnamese education will depend not only on the curriculum or methods but also on creating a stable environment where all elements of the educational ecosystem operate smoothly. Textbooks, although only a part of the system, play a core role in shaping perceptions, creating unity and ensuring learning equity.

When a set of books is chosen correctly, education will have a foundation for stable development. Only then will the young generation have the conditions to develop more comprehensively and sustainably.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/can-mot-bo-sach-giao-khoa-thong-nhat-vi-chat-luong-cong-bang-giao-duc-433810.html