Proposal to build a common set of textbooks for the whole country

On the morning of May 4, the Provincial National Assembly Delegation held a conference to collect comments on the Draft Law on Education (amended). Attending the conference were Deputy Heads of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation Nguyen Thanh Hien and Tran Van Mao. Photo: Thanh Le

Concerns about streaming and connectivity in education

Commenting on the Draft Law, Ms. Bui Thi Thu Huong - former Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council expressed concerns about the content of Articles 9 and 10 on streaming and connection in education.

"Connecting training levels leads to degrees and certificates, so regardless of the type of training, it requires attention to input and training quality. Are the teacher's qualifications and qualifications real or not?" - Ms. Huong said.

The conference received many positive comments from delegates. Photo: Thanh Le

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hoa - legal collaborator of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, proposed that the Draft Law supplement Article 17 on the role and responsibility of educational management staff. However, the content does not show responsibility. It is proposed that the Draft Law should supplement that educational management staff take full responsibility for the educational institution they are in charge of.

"How can the education sector avoid the disease of achievement, screen students right from the grassroots, and not let students sit in the wrong class?" - Mr. Hoa suggested.

The draft Law on Education (amended) submitted to the 7th session of the 14th National Assembly includes 10 chapters and 121 articles, in which many new contents are amended and supplemented; many new policies are added to the law such as: on educational goals; national education system; language and writing used in schools and other educational institutions; on levels and ages of general education; general education programs, textbooks; School Council; position and role of teachers; recruitment regime;...

Unifying textbooks nationwide

Regulations on textbooks are a matter of concern for many delegates, most of whom agree on the policy of one program and many textbooks. However, there needs to be a roadmap specified in circulars and decrees. In the current situation, a common set of textbooks for the whole country should be developed.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Lien - Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Bar Association, it is recommended to maintain a set of basic textbooks, and not assign the provincial People's Committee to organize the compilation of educational materials, which is both difficult and costly. It should only be regulated that localities with conditions and initiatives should organize research and compilation.

Mr. Nguyen Ho Canh - former Vice Principal of the Provincial Political School spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Le

Sharing the same view, Mr. Pham Huy Duc - Provincial Association of Former Teachers said that, following the world trend of one program with many textbooks, but for Vietnam, it is necessary to go step by step, with a roadmap. First of all, the Ministry of Education and Training must preside over compiling, appraising, clarifying the criteria for selecting textbooks, and unifying a set of textbooks for the whole country. Besides, there should be other sets of books for reference and selection.

Delegates' opinions pointed out a number of shortcomings that the Draft Law on Education Amendments has not met the requirements of practice, such as: scope and subjects of regulation; policies for teachers; tuition exemption and reduction; additional wording explanations; many general provisions; language expressing abstract and general goals, and political nature of the resolution type.

Students of Nghi Hoa Primary School (Nghi Loc) in Vietnamese class. Photo courtesy

In addition, delegates proposed to add content on school councils, duties and powers of teachers and students, roles, responsibilities, and policies for education managers; and to specify more specifically the content of Article 61 on participation in teacher recruitment, etc.

Concluding the conference, on behalf of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation Nguyen Thanh Hien highly appreciated the opinions of the delegates attending the conference, and at the same time accepted and acknowledged the opinions. On that basis, the Provincial National Assembly Delegation will synthesize and give opinions at the upcoming 7th session of the 14th National Assembly.