There has been no direction from higher levels on how the Ministry of Education and Training will organize the compilation of textbooks.

At the regular Government Press Conference in May 2023 held this afternoon (June 3), the press asked the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training about concerns about the lack of textbooks, specifically: The end of the last school year and preparation for the new school year, once again raised concerns about the lack of textbooks, especially for the first grades to change books such as grades 4, 8, 11. What instructions has the Ministry of Education and Training given to ensure enough textbooks for the new school year and will the Ministry of Education and Training prepare a set of textbooks for students for many years in the near future?

There is no direction from the superiors about the Ministry of Education and Training organizing the compilation of textbooks, figure 1. — Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son informed at the Press Conference.

In response to the above question, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son said that the lack of textbooks, especially textbooks for grades 4, 8, and 11, is partly due to localities choosing books slowly this year, and partly due to waiting for price approval in some localities. Up to now, localities have approved all types of books.

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

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son, the books for grades 4, 8, and 11 are all new. As of yesterday, bidding has been opened for printing nearly 80% of the books, with about 20% remaining based on the full reports from localities to 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," Mr. Son emphasized.

Regarding the issue of textbook compilation, according to Mr. Hoang Minh Son, 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 .

Along with that, the 14th National Assembly also has Resolution No. 122 that when compiling textbooks using 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.

"This time, all approved grades (9/12 grades) 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 direction from higher levels on the Ministry of Education and Training to organize the compilation of textbooks," Mr. Son stated.

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