From the 2026-2027 school year, a set of common textbooks will be deployed.

Photo caption — Conference scene. Photo: LV

Overcoming existing shortcomings

The above information was given at the Conference to summarize and evaluate the results of implementing the general education textbook program (GDPT) for the period 2020 - 2025. The Conference was organized in a combination of in-person and online formats with more than 40 connecting points nationwide.

Here, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said: "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 program implementation, including facilities, equipment, finance and staff.

Minister Nguyen Kim Son noted: “In the past, we have encountered many difficulties such as lack of people, facilities, and resources. In the coming time, we need to gradually reduce the shortage, especially investing in arts, physical education, information technology, life skills, etc.”

Affirming that the teaching staff is the key factor, the Minister emphasized: The issue is not only about quantity, but more importantly, the capacity, qualifications and adaptability of teachers to new requirements, especially integrated teaching, developing students' qualities and abilities. The Minister also suggested promoting digital transformation, applying AI in teaching and learning, but must be cautious, appropriate and controlled.

The Minister emphasized the preparation of a unified set of textbooks for the whole country, to 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.

Looking back at the implementation of the 2018 General Education Program, Director of the General Education Department Thai Van Tai said: "Implementing the National Assembly's resolutions on innovation of general education programs and textbooks, the Ministry of Education and Training has developed and promulgated the General Education Program; organized the compilation, appraisal and approval of textbooks; and coordinated with ministries, branches and localities to prepare conditions for teaching staff, facilities and teaching equipment. The consistent viewpoint during the program development process is to ensure openness, stability and development capacity, in line with scientific and technological advances and practical requirements."

Specifically, in the period 2020 - 2025, a comprehensive system of documents will be issued, covering core issues to meet the requirements of innovation. The work of developing the team of teachers and educational managers has been seriously implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training.

In the 2023-2024 school year, the Ministry of Education and Training will coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to review and report to the Central Government to add 27,826 teacher positions, out of a total of 65,980 positions added for the 2022-2026 period. At the same time, the Ministry will direct localities to manage staffing, recruitment, and use of staff, overcome the shortage of teachers, and ensure conditions for implementing the new program. The rate of teachers meeting the standards according to the 2019 Education Law will increase at all levels.

The Ministry of Education and Training also directed localities to review and plan a reasonable school network, invest in facilities and equipment, and ensure students' right to education.

By the 2024-2025 school year, the country will have 26,408 general education facilities; the rate of solid classrooms will increase, the number of students per class will decrease, creating better learning conditions. The 2018 General Education Program will be issued and implemented on schedule nationwide, in an open and flexible manner, allowing schools to proactively develop educational plans suitable to reality.

The Ministry of Education and Training has established a Steering Committee for program development, organized reviews and evaluations of implementation, and promptly adjusted subject programs such as History, Geography, and Civic Education to suit the two-level government model.

Regarding textbooks, for the first time, the socialization policy was successfully implemented, attracting 7 publishers and 12 joint stock companies to participate in the compilation, with 3,844 authors nationwide. The process of compiling, evaluating, approving and selecting 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 testing and assessment according to the new program are innovated in a diverse and practical direction, reducing the pressure on scores, focusing on assessing students' progress and capacity. The 2024 - 2025 high school graduation exam is the first exam according to the new program, ensuring the correct assessment of GDPT goals, serving as a basis for reviewing the quality of teaching at schools and the management work of educational agencies. In the period of 2020 - 2025, Vietnam had 173 candidates participating in international and regional Olympics, winning 159 medals, affirming the solid position of Vietnam's leading education.

Local authorities proactively remove difficulties

Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training Vo Van Mai shared: The 2018 General Education Program with its orientation towards developing students' qualities and abilities has created a strong driving force for innovation. Teachers proactively apply active teaching methods, promoting students' self-study and creativity. Identifying teachers as the key factor, the Department of Education and Training has advised the Provincial People's Committee to arrange regular and systematic training funds to help the team master the new program and methods.

The selection of textbooks is conducted democratically, publicly, in accordance with regulations, with the participation of teachers and parents and with high social consensus.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Dak Lak province Vo Thi Minh Duyen, despite difficulties, the locality has invested nearly 4,200 billion VND in the period of 2019 - 2024 for facilities, equipment and teacher training. Thanks to that, the province's education quality has changed positively, gradually narrowing the gap between regions.

In the coming time, Ms. Duyen proposed that the Ministry of Education and Training continue to support funding, equipment, and priority policies for disadvantaged areas, especially in recruitment and benefits for teachers in remote, isolated, and ethnic minority areas.

From an expert perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Kieu said that this is the largest program in the past 80 years, built on the basis of scientific theory, updating the development trends of the times, "a correct, scientific and practical approach".

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son highly appreciated the contributions and affirmed: The summary of the program and textbooks for the 2020 - 2025 period is an important basis for implementing the next phase.

According to the Minister, the education sector has completed a complete cycle from grade 1 to grade 12, achieving both breadth and depth, meeting the goals of the new program - a comprehensive innovation at the general education level. 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 have also been transformed from "knowledge packages" to open learning materials, helping teachers guide students to develop their abilities.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/tu-nam-hoc-2026-2027-trien-khai-mot-bo-sach-giao-khoa-dung-chung-20251017165306211.htm