Making a unified set of textbooks nationwide: Modern, creative, connected to technology

A set of standard, unified textbooks nationwide does not mean 'returning to the old way' of one program, one set of books, but rather building a more effective, easy-to-use set of textbooks.

Students in Ho Chi Minh City buy textbooks to prepare for the new school year 2025-2026 - Photo: NHU HUNG

Ensure the provision of a unified set of textbooks nationwide for use from the 2026-2027 school year; implement a roadmap to provide free textbooks to all students by 2030.

(Excerpt from the Government's resolution on the action program to implement Resolution 71 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development)

That set of textbooks must also be suitable for many subjects, save social costs and be more modern, that is, stimulate creativity, connect technology and digital resources.

Only when textbooks are effectively designed and inspire creativity can they truly become the driving force for educational breakthroughs.

Textbooks must be renewed.

Since the 2018 General Education Program was implemented, Vietnam has shifted from the "single textbook" model to allowing multiple textbooks to circulate. This is an important innovation, creating more choices and promoting competition.

However, this change also gives rise to shortcomings: the choice at the grassroots level is not unified, the cost increases, teachers and students face difficulties in implementation, and the modernity of textbooks is unclear. Textbooks have not aroused much curiosity, have not led to open learning materials, and have not connected technology and artificial intelligence (AI) - which are inevitable requirements of development breakthroughs.

In that context, Resolution 71 on breakthroughs in education and training development has clearly stated that textbooks are tools that need to be standardized, modernized, linked to an open learning materials ecosystem, applying technology and aiming at developing qualities and capacities.

An effective textbook must achieve many goals. For students, it must be accessible, encourage questioning, and lead to new knowledge. For teachers, it must be standard material, yet flexible enough to allow for innovation.

For society, effective textbooks are fair, reasonably priced, accessible to everyone, and reflect national knowledge standards.

And with education management, effective textbooks must ensure a transparent compilation - printing - distribution process, avoiding loss and waste, so that money invested in education is used for the right purposes.

How to make a new set of textbooks is a topic that attracts Tuoi Tre readers. Readers who have ideas, solutions, and suggestions on this issue, please send articles and comments to giaoduc@tuoitre.com.vn - Photo taken from page 1 of Tuoi Tre newspaper, September 11 issue

Need to evaluate the 2018 General Education Program

Before compiling new textbooks, a prerequisite step is needed: a scientific evaluation of the 2018 General Education Program. Only when the results are independent, public, and socially agreed upon, will the creation of a unified set of textbooks have a scientific basis and be feasible.

When implementing, the organizational model must be clear. The Ministry of Education and Training needs to select a team of excellent experts to compile, gather scientists, good teachers, and experts in designing digital learning materials. Textbook copyright belongs to the State to ensure public interest and the ability to update.

The printing and distribution process must be publicly bid to ensure transparency and reduce costs. At the same time, there needs to be a low-cost or free electronic version, linked to a digital learning resource including videos, lectures, simulations, and question banks. The textbook set must be streamlined, reasonably priced, and have expansion modules, international reference suggestions, and AI application instructions.

To foster creativity, modernity must be at the center. Each lesson must have anchors that stimulate curiosity: big questions, real-life situations, and open data connections.

AI can help with personalization, simulate experiments, or provide differentiated exercises. Modern textbooks are not just about good paper, number of pages, or fancy designs, but are tools to help students access multidimensional knowledge.

A synchronous ecosystem is a necessary condition. First, issue a set of modern textbook standards as a consistent measure: scientific nature, ability to develop capacity, level of openness, digital connectivity and accessibility. Next is a two-round review process: academic (scientific community, pedagogy) and practical (teachers, students in many regions), with real classroom pilot for editing and need to develop digital versions along with printed books.

At the same time, teachers need to be trained because textbooks are only effective when teachers know how to use them flexibly. There needs to be a repository of "teaching scenarios" illustrating many approaches for teachers to share experiences, along with a policy of supporting equipment and connections so that no one is left behind.

The core of a unified set of textbooks is unity in diversity: unity in knowledge-skill standards and consistent content, but diversity in teaching methods, approaches to learning materials, and the ability to expand to technology and AI. At that time, textbooks return to their proper place: useful tools in the learning materials ecosystem, not the only "law".

Resolution 71 has clearly indicated the direction. The remaining work is to follow the correct order: scientifically evaluate the 2018 General Education Program, issue standards, compile with State copyright, bid for printing transparently, implement with a roadmap, and train teachers.

If done step by step, Vietnam can have a set of textbooks that are effective for learners, practical for teachers, fair for society, transparent for management, and modern to nurture creativity.

Modern - Professional - Vietnam

I would like to propose a plan to compile a completely new set of textbooks in the era of development so that by 2045, Vietnamese education will reach the top 20 in the world as directed by General Secretary To Lam.

1. There cannot be a set of textbooks that are "old wine in new bottles" but must be changed completely and thoroughly in the time when the country is changing and entering a new era. The unified set of books must be Modern - Professional - Vietnamese.

2. We must immediately find talented people in the country and overseas Vietnamese to participate and cooperate in compiling, avoiding cliques and favoritism, and at the same time send experts to research and learn in countries such as Singapore, Korea, Japan, Australia, China... There must be specific research content, lessons and clear suggestions for practical approaches.

3. Improve the capacity of pedagogical universities, train teachers to be on par with textbooks. No matter how good the textbooks are, if the teachers cannot convey them to the learners, the results will be extremely skewed.

LE NGOC DIEP (former head of the Primary Education Department, Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City)

3 insider suggestions

According to Resolution 71 of the Politburo, we are ready to join in building a unified set of textbooks. In order for the work to proceed smoothly, without causing disruption or waste, I would like to propose some principles for choosing the plan to build a new set of textbooks as follows:

1. The plan to develop a new set of textbooks is suitable for the interests of teachers and students. The application of the new set of textbooks should be carried out sequentially, starting from the first grades (grades 1, 6, 10) to avoid sudden changes that affect teachers and students who are teaching and learning according to the current textbooks and waste tens of millions of textbooks that have been purchased and used.

2. The plan to develop a new set of textbooks must ensure a scientific and practical basis. It is not advisable to choose a set of textbooks from the current sets (because the selection is very complicated) or to choose a number of books from each set (because it can easily lead to a lack of consistency in approach between books from different sets of textbooks). It is advisable to base on existing experience to organize the compilation of a new set of textbooks.

3. The plan to develop a new set of textbooks must ensure objectivity and fairness among publishers, state-owned and private enterprises according to Resolution No. 88/2014 of the National Assembly and Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW dated May 4, 2025 of the Politburo on private economic development.

(A textbook expert)

Back to topic

Le Tuan Phong

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lam-mot-bo-sach-giao-khoa-thong-nhat-toan-quoc-hien-dai-sang-tao-ket-noi-cong-nghe-20250917102028633.htm