Giving teachers and schools the right to choose textbooks

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just issued a draft circular regulating the selection of textbooks in general education and continuing education institutions. In addition to the book selection council being established by schools, the draft also emphasizes three principles for book selection.

According to the draft, the Circular is applied to primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, vocational education - continuing education centers (VET - GDTX) and educational institutions implementing general education programs and continuing education programs at high school level.

Delegate the right to choose textbooks to school teachers, picture 1 — Textbook selection is empowered to teachers (photo TL).

When issued, this Circular will replace Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDDT dated August 26, 2020 of the Minister of Education and Training regulating the selection of textbooks in general education institutions.

In the draft, the Ministry of Education and Training sets out three principles for selecting textbooks: First, selecting textbooks from the list of textbooks approved by the Minister of Education and Training for stable use in general education institutions.

Second, each subject and educational activity carried out in general education institutions in each grade selects a textbook.

Third, the selection of textbooks must be democratic, objective, public and transparent.

The draft sets out criteria for selecting textbooks, including: being suitable for the socio-economic characteristics of the locality and suitable for the conditions of organizing teaching and learning at general education institutions.

The new draft stipulates: The textbook selection council of a general education institution is established by the principal of the general education institution or the director of the vocational education and training center, to assist the head of the general education institution in organizing the selection of textbooks. Each general education institution establishes a council.

For general schools with many levels, each level establishes a council.

The Council includes: Head, deputy head; representative of professional group; representative of teachers, representative of Parents' Association of general education institution.

People who have participated in compiling textbooks or participated in directing the compilation, publication, printing, and distribution of textbooks and people working at publishing houses and organizations with textbooks are not allowed to participate in the Council.

The Council develops a plan to organize the selection of textbooks for general education institutions; assigns tasks to Council members.

Regarding the process of organizing textbook selection, the first step is to organize textbook selection at educational institutions. The Department of Education and Training appraises textbook selection records of general education institutions under its management according to regulations; reports to the Department of Education and Training on the appraisal results and the list of textbook selections of general education institutions under its management.

The Department of Education and Training organizes the appraisal of textbook selection records of general education institutions under its management according to regulations; reviews reports of the Departments of Education and Training on appraisal results and textbook selection lists of general education institutions;

Synthesize results, make a list of textbooks selected by general education institutions, submit to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and approval.

Based on the results of textbook selection of general education institutions submitted by the Department of Education and Training, the Provincial People's Committee decides to approve the list of textbook selection of general education institutions in the locality.

The approved list of textbooks is announced to local general education institutions before April 30 every year.

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