Proactively and flexibly implement new textbook programs

On the morning of August 20, the Ministry of Education and Training coordinated with the National Assembly's Committee on Culture, Education, Youth and Children to organize a conference to summarize 1 year of implementing the innovation of the General Education Textbook Program.

The Central bridge point was chaired by the Party Central Committee members: Nguyen Kim Son - Minister of Education and Training; Nguyen Dac Vinh - Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children.

At Nghe An bridge point, there were comrades: Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Thai Van Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Director of the Department of Education and Training.

Quality of first grade students ensures output standards

Speaking at the opening of the conference, MinisterMinistry of Education and TrainingNguyen Kim Son affirmed that innovation in the quality of education and training is a major policy of the Party and the State. In particular, innovation in textbooks is an important innovation for general education.

In Vietnam, from the 2020-2021 school year, the changetextbookaccording to the new program applied to first graders. According to the assessment of the Ministry of Education and Training, in the first year of implementation, schools have focused on innovating school management and administration towards promoting the proactiveness and flexibility of the school and the autonomy and creativity of professional groups and teachers.

Delegates at Nghe An bridgehead. Photo: MH

In addition, with 100% of first graders studying 2 sessions/day, it helps students complete their learning tasks and program requirements; creating conditions for students to study elective subjects and participate in educational activities to achieve the goal of comprehensive education in primary school.

Synthesizing results from localities on the end-of-school-year assessment results of the 2020-2021 school year shows that all primary schools have completed the program as planned, with good student quality.Grade 1ensure the output standards, requirements of the program, have some outstanding aspects compared to the current program; students are more confident, dare to express their opinions, know how to express their opinions through basic lessons, can read and write fluently in semester 1 and are consolidated and enhanced sustainably in semester 2.

Students of Nam Can Primary School - Ky Son get acquainted with new textbooks. Photo: MH

At Nghe An, Director of the Department of Education and Training Thai Van Thanh reported on the implementation of the new textbook replacement program in the province. Notably, the training of teachers and investment in facilities and equipment have been done well to basically meet the minimum teaching conditions. At the end of the school year, students in the province have achieved many outstanding skills such as: reading, communication, autonomy, self-study, critical thinking; students are more active and confident than in the old program.

Based on the results achieved, Nghe An has drawn lessons to continue implementing this school year with grades 2 and 6. In particular, identifying the teaching staff as a prerequisite and the province will assign teachers to be proactive in the implementation process. In addition, it is necessary to do a good job of communication to receive the support and consensus of teachers, parents and students. Strengthen socialization, innovate professional and academic activities, and periodically evaluate.

The current problem in Nghe An is that the teaching staff is still lacking and the structure is not reasonable. From the above reality, Nghe An also recommendsThere are effective and timely solutions to overcome the current shortage of teachers to meet the requirements of implementing the 2018 General Education Program innovation. At the same time, prioritize budget allocation to purchase teaching equipment, especially foreign language and information technology equipment for educational institutions in remote, isolated and extremely disadvantaged areas to ensure the successful implementation of the 2018 General Education Program.

Along with the achieved results, at the conference, many opinions from localities also pointed out some shortcomings in the implementation process such as the compilation of textbooks according to the new program still facing many limitations from the design stage to the implementation stage, especially the selection and use of textbooks in localities facing many difficulties in printing and distribution.

Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training speaking at the conference. Photo: MH

In addition, the quality of teachers and managers is uneven, especially in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions; there is a large gap compared to areas with favorable conditions. The number of teachers and managers is still locally insufficient; at the same time, it is still insufficient compared to regulations, especially at the primary level. Meanwhile, conditions for ensuring facilities at educational institutions still face many difficulties...

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son speaks at the Hanoi bridge. Photo: MH

Concluding the conference, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son acknowledged the contributions of the delegates. After 1 year of implementation, besides lessons learned, there are still challenges and difficulties. Therefore, in the process of innovation, leaders need to be steadfast in their goals but also flexible and creative to gain approval and create consensus in the whole society.

In the upcoming school year, to continue to successfully implement the new textbook replacement program, it is necessary to continue to persevere in the innovation perspective, taking the number 1 priority goal of general education as teaching people, teaching ethics, promoting self-study ability, creating a foundation for building a high-quality human resource team.

Le Mao Secondary School (Vinh City) gives opinions on 6th grade textbooks. Photo: MH

The head of the education sector also said that this general education reform program is very profound, thorough and comprehensive. Therefore, in the coming time, the Ministry will continue to review the state management aspect to fulfill its responsibilities, pay attention to reviewing policy mechanisms, and increase the attraction of good teachers and experts to participate in the drafting work to have the best textbook drafts...

Localities need to prioritize and prepare facilities and staff to effectively implement the new program. During the implementation process, the Ministry will continue to listen to promptly resolve difficulties and provide guidance close to reality.