The Ministry of Education and Training has proposed not to compile additional textbooks.

“I think that from now until 2024, the most important priority is to evaluate the quality of textbooks for grades 5, 9, and 12 very well, ensuring enough textbooks before the new school year. As for the issue of being assigned to compile a set of textbooks, we will research, propose and try in the next 1-2 years, when a cycle of innovation has been completed, we will have an in-depth assessment and present it to the National Assembly later.”

This is the viewpoint clearly stated by Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son when explaining at the National Assembly this morning, November 1.

According to Minister Nguyen Kim Son, in the Government report on socio-economics, there is an assessment that "textbooks have not met the requirements". This is an assessment that the education sector identifies as a high demand, a very responsible one for the Government. Although many things have been done, there is still a need to do better and the education sector is trying to do well.

Recently, the National Assembly Standing Committee supervised the implementation of the innovation of general education programs and textbooks and in the Supervision Resolution 686, it noted: The system of textbooks and educational materials was compiled, reviewed, approved, printed and published basically on schedule, meeting the requirements of teaching and learning. The content of textbooks closely follows the requirements of the new general education program, suitable for the requirements of developing students' qualities and abilities; the compilation of textbooks has mobilized a large number of experts, scientists, and teachers with prestige and experience, and from 2020 to now, 381 new textbooks have been published, with a total of 194 million copies.

Thus, this is a recognition of the efforts of the entire education sector, the teaching staff, and those involved in compiling the books.

According to the Minister, there are concerns about the financial expenditure for educational innovation, “The figure given in the report is 213,449 billion and this is the statistical figure for both regular expenditure and development investment expenditure. The direct expenditure for educational innovation, including curriculum compilation, textbook appraisal, and national teacher training, totals 395.2 billion VND,” the Minister said.

The Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee agreeing with the proposal of the National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation on assigning the Ministry of Education and Training to issue a set of textbooks in addition to the socialized textbooks is an issue attracting public attention with many conflicting opinions.

At the National Assembly, delegates also had many different opinions. Delegate Truong Trong Nghia, National Assembly Delegation of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the socialization of textbooks aims to mobilize social resources and at the same time create diverse choices for learners. According to Mr. Nghia, this socialization is being implemented well with three different sets of textbooks, so there should be no question of the Ministry of Education and Training compiling another set of textbooks. "Whenever it is first implemented, there will be problems that need to be solved, but if the Ministry of Education and Training compiles, will the problems be solved?" asked delegate Truong Trong Nghia.

But according to delegate Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa, National Assembly Delegation of Dong Thap province, it is necessary to have a set of textbooks to be proactive in all situations. “When necessary, we can still ensure that textbooks are available at the beginning of the new school year and ensure the State’s responsibility for compiling textbooks,” Ms. Hoa said.

Meanwhile, delegate Luu Ba Mac, National Assembly Delegation of Lang Son province, said that compiling another set of textbooks at the present time is not really urgent. The important thing is that teachers are allowed to choose textbooks that are suitable for their abilities and teaching methods, and for the learning ability and psychological level of students in each locality and each school.

Sharing this view, delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, National Assembly delegation of Hai Duong province, commented that if the Ministry of Education and Training compiles textbooks at this time, it will certainly lead to monopoly, the whole country will return to teaching a set of textbooks as before because schools will choose the Ministry's books to ensure safety.