Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested ministries to review and promptly announce the results of price declaration and progress of publishing textbooks for grades 4, 8 and 11.
This content was mentioned in the announcement on May 15 of the Government Office on the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the meeting on tuition fees and textbooks.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that textbooks are an issue of concern to parents, students, schools and society, especially before the new school year. Therefore, he requested the Ministry of Education and Training not to let a shortage of textbooks occur for the new school year and to promptly provide information on the progress of printing and distributing books.
The Ministry of Finance is assigned to review and announce the results of the price declaration of textbooks for grades 4, 8, and 11 - the grades that will begin applying the new general education program (also known as the 2018 general education program) from the next school year.
Textbook and reference book counter at a bookstore in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, 2022. Photo: Manh Tung
As of May 10, 37 provinces and cities have selected textbooks for grades 4, 8 and 11. The remaining 26 localities are waiting for the Ministry of Finance to appraise the prices before making a decision. According to the plan, the review of textbook prices will be completed today.
The whole country started implementing the new general education program from the 2020-2021 school year with grade 1. In the following years, grades 2, 3, 6, 7, and 10 will study according to the new program. The roadmap for replacing textbooks is also implemented in parallel, with the policy of "one program, many textbooks", eliminating the publishing monopoly.
However, the price of textbooks is 2-3 times higher than the old books, causing controversy. Many parents say that the price of books has increased "dizzily". For example, a set of 3rd grade books costs 177,000 to 183,000 VND while the old set costs 58,000. Similarly, 7th grade books cost nearly 210,000 VND, 80,000 VND higher. 10th grade books cost 246,000-301,000 VND per set depending on the subject combination, 80,000 to 140,000 VND higher than the old set. These prices do not include English books. However, the publisher affirmed that it has minimized input costs to have a selling price suitable for the majority of families with children going to school.
According to the 2012 Law on Prices, textbooks are not on the list of items priced by the State, but enterprises must declare their prices to the Ministry of Finance. Publishers are responsible before the law for the declared book prices.
The Ministry of Education and Training assessed that this could lead to different high and low prices. Meanwhile, textbooks are among the essential educational materials for students; affecting social security, especially for people in disadvantaged areas.
According to the Resolution of the 3rd session of the 15th National Assembly passed in June 2022, textbooks will be added to the list of goods and services priced by the State when the Law on Prices is amended. The revised Law on Prices is expected to be considered and approved at the National Assembly session this month.
Thanh Hang
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