Schools in Nghe An are confused in choosing textbooks for grade 1.

This school year, schools will proactively choose first grade textbooks according to the new general education program. Photo: Duc Anh

Teacher Nguyen Mai Huong - Teacher at Quang Trung Primary School

The set of criteria for selecting textbooks recently issued by the Department of Education and Training, in my opinion, is appropriate because it focuses on the formation and development of learners’ qualities and abilities as well as creating conditions for teachers to assess students’ qualities and abilities. These are also the criteria for selecting textbooks this time.

Currently, we also support the policy of one school choosing one set of textbooks and this is an autonomous, public and transparent choice. If schools are allowed to choose, it will increase the autonomy of the school and the actual teachers will be able to choose the set of textbooks that they find suitable. However, there will be some difficulties such as lack of uniformity throughout the province and if students transfer from one school to another, they will have difficulty using textbooks, or differences in knowledge because each set of textbooks has different advantages, some sets are better in this subject, some are better in that subject. Secondly, if schools organize exchanges, there will be no consensus on topics and create differences between schools.

Photo: Duc Anh

Teacher Doan Thi Dung - Principal of Lang Sen Primary School (Nam Dan)

Through studying 5 sets of books, we found that each set of books has its own advantages. The content of the books also closely follows the requirements of the knowledge and skills standards and the set knowledge standards. The books are designed in an open direction for students and teachers to use easily.

Photo: Duc Anh

We have also delivered books to each teacher for research and reference, but have not yet selected a specific set of books to bring to the school. Our current plan is to choose a set of books or to choose some books from this set mixed with some books from the other set. How can we see that the set of books has a connection and is convenient for students? We also think that we should choose a set with horizontal and vertical connections, because currently we have 2 primary schools in one commune. In the immediate future, we want to have guidance to have inter-school unity to make implementation more convenient.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh An - Head of Education and Training Department of Con Cuong district

In the past, the Department of Education and Training of Con Cuong district has asked teachers and schools to study each set of textbooks in detail and our point of view is that choosing books must first be for the students and for quality. In Con Cuong area, we are also planning for the whole district to use one set of books to have a common ground.

Photo: My Ha

I also suggest to the Department of Education and Training that books should be selected according to local types, for example, mountainous and midland areas should choose one set and plains and cities should choose another set. I also think that at the present time, if the condition is one set per district, it is very difficult and should be selected in groups, according to each region with common characteristics.

The set of criteria for selecting textbooks recently issued by the Department of Education and Training is appropriate because it focuses on the formation and development of learners’ qualities and abilities as well as creating conditions for teachers to assess students’ qualities and abilities. These are also the criteria for selecting textbooks this time.

Mr. Thai Van Thanh - Director of Department of Education and Training

To select textbooks that ensure accuracy, objectivity, fairness and democracy suitable for teachers and students of Nghe An province, the textbook selection council of schools must understand the textbooks and the philosophical approach of each book set based on the criteria issued by the Provincial People's Committee.

Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training Thai Van Thanh talks with reporters. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong

However, Nghe An is divided into two regions with 11 lowland districts and 10 mountainous districts, especially 5 highland districts, so there are certain difficulties. Therefore, in the process of selecting books, schools must choose books that are suitable for the regional characteristics, suitable for the capacity of students, teachers as well as the school's facilities and equipment.

The selection of books in schools is only done this year, and from next year, according to the Law on Education, the Provincial People's Committee will choose the set of books. Therefore, the selection of books in the first year must also ensure connectivity and unity, ensure uniformity, systematization from grade 1 to grade 12 and consistency between schools in districts, towns and regions. To do this, the councils also need to share experiences with each other to choose the most suitable set of books./.