The National Assembly pointed out a series of violations and limitations of the new general education program and textbooks.

The monitoring results acknowledge the efforts and positivity of the Government, the Ministry of Education and Training, relevant ministries, branches, localities, organizations and individuals. The content of basic textbooks meets the requirements, has been innovated in the direction of streamlining, increasing practice, and applying knowledge to reality.

The monitoring delegation also pointed out shortcomings and limitations in implementing the innovation of general education textbooks.

The National Assembly pointed out a series of violations and limitations in textbooks and new general education programs. (Illustration photo)

Firstly , the appraisal and revision of some textbooks are not strict, leading to poor quality, many errors, inaccurate content, and substandard writing style in many textbooks, especially Vietnamese textbooks for grade 1, Natural Science for grade 6, and History for grade 11.

The quality of some textbooks in the new general education program is still limited, the content is not suitable for students, is difficult, and the knowledge is heavy. The report also pointed out that some content is difficult to understand, difficult to explain; not suitable for some regions, has local words; some paragraphs and poems included in textbooks are not highly appreciated.

Second , the organization of textbook selection also has shortcomings. In some localities, the preparation of textbook selection records is still lacking compared to regulations.

This is shown in the conclusion of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training, which pointed out that 6 provinces (Dong Thap, Kien Giang, Long An, Dak Lak, Quang Ngai and Khanh Hoa) had some errors in the textbook selection process.

Many localities only choose one set of textbooks to be used in the area, including 14 provinces and cities (Bac Kan, Quang Nam, Yen Bai; Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Dong Thap; Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Da Nang, Hau Giang, Quang Ninh, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Vinh Phuc) that only choose one set of textbooks for grade 1.

39 provinces and cities (Lai Chau, Bac Kan, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Phu Tho, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa; Ho Chi Minh City, Soc Trang...) only choose 1 set of textbooks for grade 2.

31 provinces and cities (Dong Thap, Ho Chi Minh City, Soc Trang, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Tien Giang, Vinh Long...) selected 1 set of textbooks for grade 6.

According to the monitoring team, the selection of many textbook sets creates difficulties in ordering and ensuring textbook supply before the new school year. The difference in content and structure in each set of books makes it difficult to create common exam questions, and students transferring schools have to buy new textbooks, making it difficult to access knowledge.

Meanwhile, the supply and distribution of textbooks still has many shortcomings, through many intermediaries. The shortage of textbooks occurs in many places, especially before the new school year. Parents and students face many troubles in buying textbooks through the freely distributed channel through the retail store system.

Third , the price of textbooks. Specifically, the price of textbooks increased 2-4 times compared to the price of textbooks for the old program.

The monitoring team cited the Vietnam Education Publishing House as evidence that new grade 1 textbooks cost from 179,000-194,000 VND/set, about 19,000/book; the old textbooks cost 54,000 VND, about 9,000 VND/book. Similarly, new grade 2 textbooks cost from 179,000-186,000 VND/set, about 18,000/book; the old textbooks cost 53,000 VND….

The monitoring team believes that high book prices cause difficulties for a part of the population, especially in areas with difficult socio-economic conditions and ethnic minorities.

In addition, there is also the situation of selling textbooks with exercise books and reference materials happening in many places, leading to increased costs of buying books.

It is worth mentioning that although there are many publishers participating in making textbooks and there are many sets of textbooks, the price of books has not decreased, but in fact is increasing. The price of English textbooks is much higher than that of other subjects but they cannot be used many times.

Fourth , the cost of publishing textbooks is high and unreasonable compared to essential goods. The maximum publishing fee (discount) for books according to the new program for publishing units serving the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years is 29% of the cover price for textbooks, 33% for exercise books, and 15% for teachers' books.

For the 2022-2023 school year, the discount on textbooks is 28.5% of the cover price, workbooks are 35%, and teachers' books are 15%.

Based on the above violations and limitations, the monitoring delegation recommended that the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee consider transferring the competent authority to conduct a comprehensive inspection/investigation of the determination and use of costs for publishing (discounting) textbooks according to the new general education program.

Ha Cuong

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