The role of the Ministry of Education and Training in managing general education programs and new textbooks

I have been following the discussions among National Assembly delegates in the plenary sessions regarding the new general education program and textbooks.

As someone directly involved in compiling the new general education curriculum and textbooks, I am truly surprised by some opinions suggesting that the Ministry of Education and Training seems to have relaxed its state management by not compiling a set of textbooks.

The state socializes the process, allowing organizations and individuals to participate in textbook compilation, but the state must still maintain its leading role.

I understand that the suggestion is to request the Ministry of Education and Training to organize the compilation of a set of textbooks using state budget funds. This means that the Ministry of Education and Training must compile its own set of textbooks to properly demonstrate its leading role in state management.

Textbooks for the new general education curriculum. (Illustrative image: H.C) — Textbooks for the new general education curriculum. (Illustrative image: HC)

Many National Assembly representatives, individuals, and newspapers have already voiced their opinions and presented compelling reasons why the Ministry of Education and Training should not compile another set of textbooks. Here, I would like to clarify whether, in the process of compiling the new general education curriculum and textbooks, the Ministry of Education and Training has neglected its management responsibilities or lost its leading role as the state.

Chapter VIII of the 2019 Education Law clearly outlines the Ministry's requirements for state management of the new general education curriculum and textbooks.

Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Training: “Regulations on educational objectives, programs, and content; the national qualifications framework; teacher standards; standards and norms for the use of school facilities, libraries, and equipment; the compilation and use of textbooks and curricula; examinations, tests, admissions, joint training programs, and the management of diplomas and certificates; and the recognition of diplomas issued by foreign educational institutions for use in Vietnam.”

There are no further requirements regarding the management of the new general education program and textbooks. Thus, in comparison with the aforementioned provisions of the Education Law, at least two points can be observed:

Firstly, regarding state management, the Education Law does not stipulate that the Ministry of Education and Training must organize the compilation of a set of textbooks for the Ministry.

Secondly, over the past period, the Ministry of Education and Training has fully implemented the state management requirements mentioned in item 4. From organizing the compilation and evaluation of the new general education curriculum for 2018 to regulating the requirements for textbook compilation and textbook evaluation criteria (Circular 33), everything has been extremely strict.

What does it mean to implement state management of the new general education curriculum and textbooks?

In this reform, the new general education curriculum is the most important legal element; textbooks are merely learning materials. The most important role is leading the development, evaluation, promulgation, and implementation of the new general education curriculum. This means the Ministry has played a proactive and leading role in state management of the new general education curriculum.

The Ministry of Education and Training is responsible for directing the compilation, testing, evaluation, and approval of textbooks. The Minister of Education and Training has issued decisions establishing national evaluation councils to review and approve textbooks that meet quality standards. Does this constitute a responsibility of state management?

Associate Professor Dr. Do Ngoc Thong, Editor-in-Chief of the new general education curriculum for Literature.

The Ministry of Education and Training coordinates with localities to select textbooks; collaborates with localities in compiling, evaluating, and approving local educational materials; and prepares teaching equipment. The Ministry of Education and Training also coordinates with the Ministry of Interior and localities in preparing teachers and educational administrators... isn't this considered state management?

The Ministry of Education and Training, in coordination with local authorities, provides guidance on the implementation of the new general education program and new textbooks. The Minister issues documents to implement the new general education program, and to implement reforms in teaching and assessment in schools to meet the requirements of the 2018 general education program.

Is it not a form of state management to guide the development and implementation of school educational plans, ensuring that the new general education program is implemented flexibly and appropriately to the specific conditions of the locality and educational institution?

Numerous other pieces of evidence could be cited to demonstrate the proactive and leading role of the Ministry of Education and Training in the development of the new general education curriculum and the compilation of textbooks.

I have worked in the education sector for over 40 years, including 30 years involved in compiling the new general education curriculum and textbooks. Having gone through three rounds of curriculum and textbook reform based on resolutions of the Party, State, and National Assembly, I truly believe that the process of compiling the new general education curriculum and textbooks has never been as systematic, meticulous, and demanding as this time.

This pressure stems not only from the demands and regulations of higher-level leadership and management agencies, but also from the attention, consideration, and feedback of a wide range of social strata.

The process of compiling the new general education curriculum and textbooks, in accordance with Resolution 88 of the National Assembly, has been progressing steadily and smoothly. Of course, the reform of the new general education curriculum and textbooks still has issues that need adjustment and refinement; it requires feedback... but fundamentally, the 2018 new general education curriculum and textbooks meet the important requirements outlined in Resolution 29 of the Central Committee and Resolution 88 of the National Assembly.

The Ministry of Education and Training still has certain limitations, but it cannot be said that the Ministry has neglected or failed to maintain its leading role in the state management of the new general education curriculum and textbooks.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Ngoc Thong

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