Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son: There is no policy to compile a set of textbooks yet.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son said that there is currently no policy from the competent authorities regarding the Ministry's organization of textbook compilation.

On the afternoon of June 3rd, responding to a reporter's question about the Ministry of Education and Training's proposal to prepare a multi-year set of textbooks for students, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son affirmed that the socialization of textbook compilation and publication is a major policy set forth by the National Assembly since 2014. If a subject already has at least one textbook that has been reviewed and approved, then no new textbook using state budget funds will be compiled for that subject.

To date, 9 out of 12 grades have three sets of textbooks. In June, the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to evaluate and approve the three final sets of textbooks for grades 5, 9, and 12.

Explaining the shortage of textbooks, especially for grades 4, 8, and 11, Mr. Son said that it was partly due to the local authorities being slow in selecting textbooks this year, and partly due to waiting for price approval in some areas. To date, the local authorities have approved all types of textbooks.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son answered at the regular Government press conference on the afternoon of June 3. Photo: Nhat Bac — Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son answered at the regular Government press conference on the afternoon of June 3. Photo: *Nhat Bac*

The Ministry of Education and Training has worked with the Education Publishing House to resolve internal difficulties and proactively print books from the previous year, basically completing the process. Regarding the books for grades 4, 8, and 11, which are all new (recently approved and printed for the first time), Mr. Son said that yesterday the bidding process opened for nearly 80% of the books; the remaining 20% will be based on reports from localities, after which the Education Publishing House will print them.

"In June, the publishing house will print 80% and will complete it in time for the new school year, with enough books for grades 4, 8, and 11," Deputy Minister Son affirmed.

Vietnam implemented a new general education program (the 2018 program) starting in the 2020-2021 school year. Currently, the program is applied to grades 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 10. This September, grades 4, 8, and 11 will follow, and by 2025, all grade levels will be studying under the new program. The phased textbook replacement is being implemented in parallel with the policy of "one curriculum, multiple textbooks," and the elimination of publishing monopolies.

Even though more than half of the program has been completed, the Ministry of Education and Training is still receiving some opinions on whether "it is advisable to continue with a program using multiple sets of textbooks." Many people are concerned that using multiple sets of textbooks will lead to a lack of uniformity in teaching and learning nationwide.

Viet Tuan

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