A unified set of textbooks: Reduce curriculum load, encourage innovation in teaching and learning

Many experts and National Assembly delegates believe that when implementing a unified set of textbooks, it is necessary to review and reduce the curriculum and have policies to encourage innovation in teaching and learning, helping teachers and students not to depend on textbooks.

PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED WHEN DEPLOYING A SET OF TEXTBOOKS

According to Mr. Dang Tu An, Director of the Vietnam General Education Innovation Support Fund, former Director of the Department of Primary Education, the policy of providing free textbooks to students is only feasible when there is a unified set of textbooks. To implement it, it is necessary to review and adjust the 2018 General Education Program. Specifically, it is necessary to develop and promulgate criteria on knowledge, skills and capacity standards in the overall program and each subject; organize retraining for relevant subjects, especially on educational methods and student capacity assessment; supplement new modern capacities such as digital capacity, entrepreneurship - innovation capacity and ethical - value capacity.

The preparation of a unified set of textbooks for the whole country, to be implemented from the 2026-2027 school year.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

To be successful, Mr. An also suggested organizing retraining on textbook writing theory, selecting a team of elite authors with experience working with the school; at the same time, establishing a review board with enough capacity to provide public and transparent feedback. A large team, staffed by subject, writing simultaneously from grades 1 to 12, will shorten the progress. Most importantly, we must respect and inherit the positive points from the textbooks that have been issued.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, member of the National Assembly's Culture and Society Committee, suggested that when compiling a set of common textbooks, attention should be paid to reducing the curriculum to make it more suitable and closer to students.

The implementation must be synchronous, from training teachers, ensuring facilities to supporting localities with difficulties. Only then will the book series truly come into life, without causing more pressure on parents, students and teachers.

According to Ms. Nga, it is necessary to pay close attention to the team compiling the new textbooks. In addition to the famous, veteran, experienced textbook compilers, it is necessary to structure more experienced and dedicated teachers who have been and are directly teaching the current textbooks. These teachers are the ones closest to the students, teaching them every day, every hour, so they will be the ones who know very well the advantages and disadvantages of each textbook.

SO THAT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DO NOT DEPEND ON TEXTBOOKS

The Russian delegate also proposed that when there is a unified set of textbooks, schools, teachers and students should consider the existing textbooks as useful reference materials, contributing to diversifying knowledge and improving the quality of teaching and learning. However, there should also be close and appropriate management measures to avoid the abuse of reference books, creating unnecessary pressure on students as has happened in the past.

Many opinions say that there should be policies to foster the spirit of innovative teaching and learning, not to be too dependent on textbooks, even though a unified set of textbooks is implemented, especially to continue to innovate testing and assessment. If that is the case, other learning resources, including textbooks that are not selected, should continue to contribute to teaching and learning activities.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Minh, Hanoi National University of Education, proposed that there should be permission, even an incentive mechanism, for teachers to freely choose learning materials for students from all reference sources (including the Ministry's shared textbooks and other textbooks). In addition, there should be a special support mechanism for current textbooks that are not selected as shared textbooks.

The principal of a high school in Hanoi also shared that currently teachers and students have "got into the habit" of innovation in the direction of not depending too much on textbooks in accordance with the spirit of innovation in examinations as the Ministry of Education and Training has implemented in this year's high school graduation exam. Therefore, even though implementing a unified set of textbooks, it is necessary to nurture that spirit of innovation, avoiding rote learning, rote learning, and teaching in a rut.

Many opinions say that there should be policies to foster the spirit of innovative teaching and learning, not being too dependent on textbooks, even though a unified set of textbooks is implemented.

Photo: Dao Ngoc Thach

HOW TO UNDERSTAND "SOCIALIZATION OF TEXTBOOKS" WHEN THERE IS A SET OF TEXTBOOKS?

Giving comments on general education textbooks and local education materials in the draft law, amending and supplementing the Law on Education, National Assembly delegate Tran Dinh Gia (Ha Tinh delegation) pointed out that at point b, clause 1 stipulates: "The Ministry of Education and Training ensures the provision of a set of textbooks for uniform use nationwide. The Government regulates free textbooks for students and socializes textbooks, ensuring sustainability and meeting the requirements of improving the quality of education".

However, according to Mr. Gia, the phrase "socialization of textbooks" may conflict with the policy of "the Ministry of Education and Training ensuring the provision of a set of textbooks for uniform use nationwide". It is not clear in what sense "socialization" is understood here, is it mobilizing social resources to compile textbooks, mobilizing funding for printing and publishing, or allowing organizations and individuals to compile accompanying reference materials and books? The ambiguity in understanding may lead to confusion in implementation, or distortion in the implementation of "socialization", affecting the consistency and transparency in textbook management. Delegate Gia suggested that it could be supplemented in the direction: "The Government encourages socialization in the stages of compiling reference materials, supplementary electronic learning materials (approved) and in funding the printing and distribution of national textbooks to disadvantaged areas". This regulation will maintain the principle of a unified set of textbooks, while at the same time promoting social resources reasonably and on target, avoiding overlap in implementation.

The unified textbooks will be implemented according to strict procedures.

At the conference to summarize and evaluate the results of the implementation of the general education program and textbooks for the period 2020 - 2025 recently organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, Director of the General Education Department Thai Van Tai said that for the first time, the textbooks successfully implemented the socialization policy, attracting 7 publishers and 12 joint stock companies to participate in compilation, with 3,844 authors nationwide. The process of compilation, appraisal, approval and selection of textbooks was carried out publicly, transparently, and ensured quality. Localities also actively compiled local educational materials, contributing to bringing regional-specific content into schools. The education sector has completed a complete cycle from grades 1 to 12, achieving both breadth and depth, meeting the goals of the new program - a comprehensive innovation at the general education level.

Also at the conference, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that the new program has many different, "non-traditional" elements, requiring strong adaptation, shifting from imparting knowledge to developing learners' qualities and abilities - a change of profound philosophical significance. Textbooks are also transformed from "knowledge packages" to open learning materials, helping teachers guide students in developing their abilities.

Regarding the tasks in the coming time, the Minister stated: "We must both maintain and improve what has been done and prepare for the new phase." Accordingly, it is necessary to review, improve and develop the program after a period of operation, and implement it in a scientific and methodical manner. Localities need to continue to advise the government and pay more attention to the conditions for implementing the program, including facilities, equipment, finance and staff.

Minister Kim Son noted that in recent times, educational innovation has encountered many difficulties such as lack of people, facilities, and resources. In the coming time, it is necessary to gradually reduce the shortage, especially investing in arts, physical education, information technology, life skills, etc. The Minister emphasized the importance of teachers' capacity, qualifications, and adaptability to new requirements, especially integrated teaching, developing students' qualities and abilities, etc.

Regarding textbooks, the Minister of Education and Training added that the preparation of a unified set of textbooks for the whole country will be implemented from the 2026-2027 school year. The compilation, appraisal and issuance of the unified set of textbooks will be carried out according to a strict and scientific process, inheriting the results achieved in the previous stage, while overcoming the existing shortcomings.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mot-bo-sach-giao-khoa-thong-nhat-giam-tai-chuong-trinh-khuyen-khich-doi-moi-day-hoc-185251112211331191.htm