Proposal to postpone non-urgent projects and focus on free textbooks from 2026

Delegate Nguyen Thi Yen (Ho Chi Minh City Delegation) proposed to postpone non-urgent projects and focus on the education sector, including free textbooks from 2026.

Proposal to provide free textbooks for all students from 2026

On the afternoon of November 20, the National Assembly continued to discuss the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education; the draft Law on Higher Education (amended); and the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies to implement Resolution No. 71 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Yen (Ho Chi Minh City Delegation) proposed to postpone non-urgent projects and focus on the education sector, including free textbooks from 2026. Photo: National Assembly Media

The Draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education stipulates that the State has a unified set of textbooks nationwide; provides free textbooks according to a roadmap for students and completes by 2030.

However, Ms. Yen expressed concern when Clause 1, Article 3 of the draft Law assigned the Minister of Education and Training to develop and decide on a set of universal textbooks for unified use nationwide and implementation in the 2026-2027 school year.

But at the same time, there is also a regulation below: "For localities with conditions to implement free textbooks from this school year". This makes readers understand that in provinces and cities with conditions, students are entitled to the policy of free textbooks. But in difficult provinces such as the Mekong Delta and mountainous areas, they are not entitled to it, and students are not entitled to it.

"To ensure fairness and equal rights for all children, I recommend that the Politburo and the National Assembly provide free textbooks for students in the 2026-2027 school year," said the delegate.

Regarding the implementation budget, the delegate said, "We can stop some projects that are not urgent or necessary so that we can focus on taking care of the children and implementing breakthrough policies on education and training."

Need to clarify criteria for selecting textbooks for nationwide use

Delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Gia Lai Delegation) affirmed that the issue of using a common set of textbooks, policies related to supporting the teaching staff, policies supporting learning and free textbooks, tuition fees, etc. have a great impact on families and society, as well as reducing part of the burden on families and children having the opportunity to go to school.

Regarding the issue of textbooks, delegates suggested balancing resources to ensure free implementation from the 2026-2027 school year.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Gia Lai Delegation). Photo: National Assembly Media

"Resources are guaranteed to be focused on localities that are not yet financially self-sufficient, especially localities with high poverty rates, remote areas, and areas with many ethnic minorities," the delegate further analyzed.

Delegates also agreed on the regulation of using a unified set of general education textbooks nationwide from the 2026-2027 school year, but suggested that it is necessary to clarify the criteria for selecting the published textbooks.

"Choose a set of books or select individual books and content from the currently used sets to ensure quality and fairness for all parties involved. On this issue, the drafting committee should clarify the selection criteria" - the delegate suggested.

Source: https://laodong.vn/giao-duc/de-nghi-tam-hoan-cac-du-an-chua-cap-bach-don-luc-mien-phi-sgk-ngay-tu-nam-2026-1609956.ldo