Ministry of Education returns textbook selection rights to schools

The above regulation is stated by the Ministry of Education and Training in Circular 27 on the selection of textbooks in general education institutions, replacing the previous Circular 25.

Accordingly, from the 2024-2025 school year onwards, each school will establish its own textbook selection council instead of basing it on the general selection results of the Provincial People's Committee as in previous school years.

The book selection council is established by the principal. The council includes: the head, deputy head; representatives of the heads of professional groups, professional teams, professional departments (collectively called professional groups), teacher representatives, and representatives of the parents' association.

From the next school year, teachers will have the right to choose textbooks. (Illustration: H.C) — From the next school year, teachers will have the right to choose textbooks. (Illustration photo: HC)

The number of council members is an odd number, with a minimum of 11 people. For general education institutions with less than 10 classes, the minimum number of council members is 5 people.

The council's task is to organize the appraisal of minutes of meetings of professional groups; comments and evaluation forms of textbooks by teachers; and the list of textbooks selected by professional groups. From there, synthesize and propose to the head of the school the list of textbooks selected by professional groups after the appraisal meets the requirements.

The Chairman of the Council is responsible for the activities, planning and implementation of the Council's work plan. In addition, the Chairman of the Council is responsible for explaining the selection of textbooks of the institution.

Based on the results of the schools submitted by the Department of Education and Training, the Provincial People's Committee decides to approve the list of textbooks selected by local schools.

Provincial People's Committees must post on mass media the list of approved books for use in schools before April 30 every year.

During use, if there are any suggestions from teachers, students and parents, schools should propose to the Department of Education and Training to adjust and supplement the list of books.

In the past 3 school years 2021, 2022, 2023, the book selection council was established by the Provincial People's Committee and each subject at each level was a council, schools were only allowed to contribute opinions. However, the selection of books in the past time has encountered many objections from teachers and experts.

During the 5th session of the 15th National Assembly, delegate Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy (Da Nang) said that "there is a lack of transparency, objectivity, and respect for the opinions of teachers, schools, and parents in choosing textbooks." She proposed giving schools and teachers the right to choose books, instead of the provincial People's Committee.

Contract teachers and guest lecturers also participate in choosing textbooks.
Circular 27 details the textbook selection process:
1. The Council develops a plan to organize the selection of textbooks.
2. Organize textbook selection at the professional group (including teachers on the payroll, contract, seconded, guest lecturers, and inter-school teachers). 20 days before the meeting, teachers must write comments and evaluation forms according to the textbook selection criteria.
The professional group meets with subject teachers to discuss and vote to choose a textbook for that subject.
3. Based on the results of the professional groups, the Council will meet and summarize the results of textbook selection.
4. The Council proposes to the head of the list of textbooks that have been selected by professional groups in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.
5. Educational institutions prepare textbook selection records and send them to the Department of Education and Training.

Ha Cuong

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