Submit to the National Assembly a plan to unify a set of textbooks nationwide

The draft law proposes that the Ministry of Education and Training ensure the provision of a set of textbooks for nationwide use, and the Government will regulate free textbooks for students.

On October 22, continuing the program of the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly, delegates will discuss in groups about 3 draft laws related to education , including the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son

PHOTO: GIA HAN

The whole country uses the same set of textbooks.

The draft law proposes that the Ministry of Education and Training ensure the provision of a set of textbooks for nationwide use. The Government will regulate free textbooks for students and socialize textbooks, ensuring sustainability and meeting the requirements for improving the quality of education.

According to the draft, the National Textbook Appraisal Council is regulated and established by the Minister of Education and Training for each subject and educational activity at each level and class to appraise textbooks. The Council and its members are responsible for the content and quality of the appraisal.

The Minister of Education and Training approves textbooks for use in general education institutions after they are appraised and classified by the National Council for Textbook Appraisal; prescribes standards and procedures for compiling and editing general education textbooks.

The draft also stipulates the separation of local educational materials. These are not textbooks but are compiled by the provincial level to meet the needs and suit the characteristics of the locality, reviewed by the provincial appraisal council and approved by the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee.

Examining the above content, the Committee on Culture and Society agreed with the provisions in the draft, aiming to institutionalize the Party and State's policies on general education textbooks, including Resolution No. 71 on breakthroughs in education and training development.

The draft proposes that the Ministry of Education and Training ensure the provision of a set of textbooks for unified use nationwide (illustrative photo)

PHOTO: GIA HAN

Should we keep the high school graduation exam?

Inheriting the current law, the draft continues to stipulate that students who complete high school program, if qualified, can take the exam, and if they meet the requirements, will be awarded a high school diploma by the school principal.

The Committee on Culture and Society agrees with the above content and believes that organizing the high school graduation exam is necessary to assess the level of general education standards of students, provide national data for research, development, and adjustment of education policies and serve as a source of reference information for universities and vocational training institutions to organize recruitment...

However, the draft needs to be designed in the direction of assigning the authority to create high school graduation exam questions to the Minister of Education and Training, and assigning the authority to organize the exam to localities to ensure seriousness and quality.

There are also suggestions that instead of organizing exams, high school graduation should be considered to be appropriate to the goals and nature of this level of education; reducing pressure and costs due to exams. Admissions to secondary schools, colleges, and universities should be assigned to higher education and vocational training institutions to organize admissions.

Explaining the above opinions, the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that maintaining the high school graduation exam is necessary in the current period.

The exam not only aims to evaluate and recognize students who have met graduation standards, but is also a tool to measure and reflect the quality of general education between regions and areas; providing data for enrollment and education policy making.

Although it imposes certain pressure and costs, the exam helps ensure consistency, objectivity, discipline and motivation for learning. On the contrary, if it is abolished, the assessment at the facility will reduce pressure but will easily lack objectivity and make it difficult to ensure fairness.

Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training proposed to continue organizing the high school graduation exam, and at the same time will study and improve the organization process in a streamlined, transparent direction, applying technology to ensure effectiveness and real quality.

Eliminate regulations on granting junior high school diplomas

Another notable content, the draft law removes the regulation on granting junior high school graduation certificates, replacing it with the principal confirming the completion of the study program.

This new point is considered suitable for the context of universal education to junior high school, simplifies administrative procedures, and reduces exam pressure for students. At the same time, it is in line with international practice, when many developed countries do not issue junior high school graduation certificates but only confirm the completion of the program for streaming or consideration for further study.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trinh-quoc-hoi-phuong-an-thong-nhat-mot-bo-sach-giao-khoa-tren-toan-quoc-185251021225906019.htm