Proposal to publish electronic textbooks for some suitable types of books

Delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong delegation) proposed the issuance of electronic textbooks for some suitable types of books, and research on the model of lending electronic reading devices to disadvantaged students to ensure equitable access.

On November 20, the National Assembly spent the whole day discussing in the hall the Draft Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education ; the Draft Law on Higher Education (amended); the Draft Law on Vocational Education (amended) and the Draft Resolution of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies to implement Resolution No. 71 on breakthroughs in education and training development.

Who will compile the national textbooks?

Professor Nguyen Anh Tri (Hanoi delegation) emphasized that one of the breakthroughs in the education sector is the use of a unified set of textbooks nationwide, in line with the spirit of Resolution 71 of the Politburo . "Resolution 71 has put an end to the use of many sets of textbooks that have been implemented for nearly ten years in our country," Professor Tri said. According to him, this is a correct and timely step to overcome the long-standing consequences in the past.

Professor Tri believes that there are two core reasons leading to the shortcomings when using many sets of textbooks.

Professor Nguyen Anh Tri ( Hanoi delegation)

Firstly, the model of multiple sets of books "is not suitable for the learning style and learning culture in Vietnam and the mindset is not well prepared to accept the learning method using multiple sets of books". This approach, according to him, is moving too fast compared to the response capacity of the team, the school and the learners themselves.

Second, the textbooks compiled in recent times "are not good, even have many errors".

Since then, Professor Nguyen Anh Tri has wondered who will draft the set of textbooks for nationwide use in the coming time? He emphasized that this set of books must be “really good, really standard, without errors”, must be both modern but close, contain culture, and be imbued with the ethics of the Vietnamese people.

To do so, a team of especially high-quality editors is needed, so Professor Nguyen Anh Tri suggested that the law should stipulate the structure of the Textbook Editorial Board, similar to the current Appraisal Council.

The draft law stipulates that the State has a unified set of textbooks nationwide. Delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (HCMC delegation) also suggested that the Drafting Committee consider, supplement, and clarify the selection mechanism, the accountability of the National Appraisal Council, and the editing process when books have errors.

At the same time, delegate Tam Hung expressed that the government's provision of free textbooks for students of all levels from the 2026-2027 school year demonstrates the Party and State's concern for Vietnam's education.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son (left) listens to comments from National Assembly deputies.

Research on publishing electronic textbooks for some suitable types

Regarding the sharing of a set of textbooks and free textbooks, delegate Pham Hung Thang (Ninh Binh delegation) expressed his agreement and high consensus. However, to make this policy more rigorous, feasible and effective, he suggested that it is necessary to clearly stipulate the time for providing free textbooks to students, which must be "implemented from the 2030-2031 school year" instead of the phrase "completed in 2030". According to the delegate, if this is not clarified, in the 2030-2031 school year, students will still not be provided with free textbooks and will still have to buy textbooks.

Delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong delegation) assessed that the use of a unified set of textbooks from the 2026-2027 school year, and the free provision of textbooks to students by 2030 (Clause 1, Article 3) is a "strong statement on social justice and education". Reducing the burden of textbook costs will create conditions for all Vietnamese children, especially those in disadvantaged areas, to be guaranteed the right to education.

However, the female delegate said that for this policy to be truly meaningful, we need to solve a very practical problem, which is the scope of free textbooks and the management of accompanying books.

Delegates at the Hall

“I suggest that there should be clear regulations on the scope of "textbooks" that are provided free of charge. This helps avoid misunderstandings and focuses budget resources on the right targets. At the same time, the misuse of exercise books and accompanying reference books must be strictly managed,” the female delegate suggested.

According to Ms. Trinh Thi Tu Anh, in reality, in many places, textbooks are free but students are required to buy large quantities of exercise books, advanced books, and reference books with similar content.

Along with providing free paper books, the Lam Dong delegation representative said that we need to promote the use and preservation of books so that they can be reused for the next school year; research the issuance of electronic textbooks for some suitable types of books, and research the model of lending electronic reading devices to disadvantaged students to ensure equitable access.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/de-xuat-phat-hanh-sach-giao-khoa-dien-tu-doi-voi-mot-so-loai-sach-phu-hop-20251120140038086.htm