A textbook is old thinking

All textbooks are equal

Recently there was a proposal for a program, a set of standard books - many supplementary documents. What do you think about this proposal?

In my opinion, this opinion probably comes from the old educational mindset: A "command, centralized" education, which places too much importance on imparting knowledge, contrary to the policy of developing an open, socialized, comprehensive education; developing the qualities and abilities of learners; maximizing the potential of each person that we are implementing in the first years.

Regarding general education, this opinion has not paid attention to the fact that the initial successes of innovation, after a cycle of implementing the new general education program from grades 1 to 12 with a unified program with many sets of textbooks, need to be fully evaluated for further improvement.

Teachers training on the 2018 general education program. Photo: NGHIEM HUE

But there are also opinions that: The Ministry of Education and Training needs to compile a set of standard textbooks to implement Resolution 88 of the National Assembly. Do you have any further comments?

Please re-read carefully the following paragraph of Resolution 88: “Encourage organizations and individuals to compile textbooks based on the general education program. To proactively implement the new general education program, the Ministry of Education and Training organizes the compilation of a set of textbooks. This set is evaluated and approved fairly with textbooks compiled by organizations and individuals.”

“The Ministry of Education and Training needs to seriously absorb, consider, and propose appropriate solutions to continue to better implement “one program, many textbooks,” said former Deputy Minister Nguyen Vinh Hien.

Obviously, the reason why the National Assembly requested the Ministry of Education and Training to compile a set of textbooks was "to proactively implement the new general education program", which was consistent with the concerns at that time (in 2014) of fear that when the education program was issued, there would be no organizations or individuals compiling textbooks for schools to teach. But in reality, in recent years, that concern has been dispelled: There have been a number of "socialized" textbooks that ensure quality for schools to choose from. Therefore, there is no need for a set of textbooks compiled by the Ministry anymore.

Let me add more about the role of different sets of textbooks: Because they are “equally assessed and approved”, all sets of textbooks are equal, it is impossible to say which set is more official and standard, which set is only for reference. Therefore, if we say that the Ministry needs to compile a standard set of textbooks, other sets (if any) are only reference materials, it is contrary to Resolution 88, which does not “Encourage organizations and individuals to compile textbooks based on the general education program”; contrary to Resolution 29: “Diversify content and learning materials to meet the requirements of all levels of education, education and training programs, and the lifelong learning needs of everyone”.

Need to absorb to perform better

Some people say that the choice of textbooks is not entirely based on the quality of the books but is influenced by the marketing of publishers and when students transfer schools, they have to buy new textbooks (because the two schools do not use the same textbooks), causing waste... What is your opinion on this issue?

These concerns are legitimate and we are addressing them. Regarding the selection of textbooks, please re-read Resolution 88: “General education institutions select textbooks for use based on the opinions of teachers, students and parents according to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training”. Teachers will choose the books that are of the best quality and most suitable for the local natural and social conditions and the teaching conditions of the school. Publishers who want to sell books must organize well the introduction of books and training for teachers. The Ministry needs to do a better job of training teachers and school administrators on the educational program and teaching methods in general, not training specifically on any set of textbooks. Please follow the requirements of Resolution 88.

Regarding the difficulty of students having to buy more textbooks when transferring schools, we are currently encouraging schools to build shared bookcases, including textbooks selected by the school for teaching and some books from other textbooks for teachers to use, students can borrow to study; students in previous classes contribute used books for students in the next class to use. This needs to be done better to overcome the difficulties of some students. In the near future, the State will exempt students from textbook fees, then those difficulties will no longer exist and shared bookcases will fully demonstrate their effectiveness.

Given the current opinions, what do you propose for the problem of many textbooks?

I think there is no valid reason to limit the further implementation of this policy. However, many concerns of parents and society are also very legitimate. The Ministry of Education and Training needs to seriously absorb, consider, and propose appropriate solutions to continue to better implement: "One program, many textbooks".

There are 3 main groups of tasks: It is necessary to report and explain clearly to cadres, people and parents about the advantages and conformity with the general trend of the world on "one program, many textbooks", encouraging many authors to write textbooks as stipulated in Resolution 88 of the National Assembly. Urgently have appropriate solutions to solve current practical difficulties and problems when implementing this policy. Continue to innovate and effectively implement training and fostering for managers and teachers to have a correct understanding of the general education program and new textbooks, about advanced educational/teaching methods, testing and assessment to successfully implement the new general education program in the context of innovation and creativity of the whole nation.

Thank you!