No pressure was received when choosing textbooks.

(HNMO) - At the discussion session on additional assessment of the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and state budget in 2022; the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and state budget in the first months of 2023 on June 1 of the fifth session of the 15th National Assembly, National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy gave her opinion on a number of contents related to the education sector.

In response to the delegate's opinion that there is a "lack of transparency, objectivity, and lack of respect for the opinions of teachers, schools, and parents in choosing textbooks", Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son has issued a written response.

The Hanoi City Textbook Selection Council met to select books for the 2023-2024 school year.

Strictly handle localities violating regulations

Accordingly, when drafting Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDDT, the Ministry of Education and Training was very careful to follow the correct procedure for drafting legal documents, and widely consulted the people and the departments of education and training. The selection of textbooks under Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDDT was basically carried out without any difficulties or problems.

In 63 reports of the People's Committees of provinces and cities on the implementation of Resolution No. 88/2014/QH13 and Resolution No. 51/2017/QH14 on innovation of general education programs and textbooks sent to the National Assembly's monitoring delegation, only 5 provinces and cities had recommendations and proposals related to textbook selection. The opinions mainly focused on the proposal to issue documents guiding the payment of textbook selection costs and increasing the time for reading textbook samples before the council meeting.

During the implementation process, the Ministry of Education and Training sent an official dispatch to the People's Committees of the provinces directing the textbook selection council to strictly implement the provisions in Clause 4, Article 8 of Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDDT, ensuring impartiality, objectivity, transparency, and respect for the proposed opinions of educational institutions; note that for textbooks, many general education institutions propose selection before organizing a secret ballot.

The Ministry of Education and Training has organized 8 inspection teams on textbook selection in some localities. Through the inspection and interview process of teachers, heads of professional groups, and principals of educational institutions, the Ministry did not receive any feedback on pressure from higher-level management agencies in textbook selection. The textbook selection form of teachers at the professional group coincides with the list of proposed textbook selections sent by educational institutions to the Department of Education and Training for synthesis and submission to the provincial selection council, and coincides with the textbook review form of teachers. Through statistics and reports from localities on the results of textbook selection by the basic councils according to the proposals of the schools.

The content of the document of the Ministry of Education and Training affirms that any locality that does not comply with the provisions of Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDDT must be strictly handled according to the provisions of the law. The Ministry requested delegate Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy to provide information and evidence of violations to the Ministry for handling according to regulations.

Continue to edit the compilation and review process

Regarding the opinion of delegate Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy on errors in some textbooks and the possibility of textbook shortages in the upcoming school year, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son expressed that the Ministry would like to thank the National Assembly delegates and voters for their continued attention, many comments, criticisms, and questions and issues that need to be resolved by the education sector. The questions and issues raised by the National Assembly delegates and voters have had a great impact on the direction and management of the Ministry of Education and Training, contributing to improving the quality and effectiveness of education. With respect and a spirit of openness, the Ministry of Education and Training has responded in writing to all opinions of the National Assembly delegates and voters sent to the Ministry, including many opinions on the general education program, textbooks, and the progress of textbook provision for the new school year.

Faced with some limitations and shortcomings in textbooks reported by public opinion, the Ministry of Education and Training always directs publishers to explain and accept the valid opinions reflected; organize the review of textbook content, report to the Ministry on the content that needs to be edited, and submit to the National Council for Textbook Appraisal for consideration and approval in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BGDDT. Upon receiving the reports from publishers, the Ministry of Education and Training seriously requested the National Council for Textbook Appraisal to review, inspect and draw specific conclusions on the reflected content, and at the same time, continue to edit and supplement the compilation and appraisal process to improve the quality of textbooks.

The Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that the Ministry and publishers have always been receptive and listened to the opinions of voters, people and National Assembly deputies to make the compilation, appraisal and publication of textbooks increasingly better, meeting the requirements of general education innovation.

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