Develop a plan to implement a national unified textbook set from the 2026-2027 school year
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just reported on the reception and explanation of the opinions of National Assembly delegations and the opinions of National Assembly deputies on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education.
Many opinions agreed with the policy of the State issuing a unified set of textbooks nationwide and implementing it from the 2026-2027 school year, but it is necessary to clearly define the scope: Compulsory books or standard books for selection; at the same time, clarify the policy of free, reusable, shared textbook libraries; it is necessary to explain, explain more clearly and convincingly in this Report on the reasons for the change so that delegates understand and agree on how to explain to voters.
Regarding this content, the Ministry of Education and Training said that, institutionalizing the tasks in Resolution 71-NQ/TW, the Ministry of Education and Training is organizing a public consultation with agencies, organizations, experts and localities on the plan to deploy a unified set of textbooks nationwide from the 2026-2027 school year, at the same time, developing a report to competent authorities and individuals for consideration and decision, ensuring publicity, transparency, objectivity, thrift, fighting waste, minimizing the impact on related subjects, at the same time inheriting and promoting the advantages of existing textbooks, not causing disruption to teaching and learning activities at educational institutions.
The Ministry also said that after being approved by competent authorities, it will review and adjust the current regulations of the minister related to textbooks, and at the same time specify the exemption of textbooks in the Government's Decree to ensure a full legal basis for implementation, ensuring publicity, transparency, efficiency and suitability to practice.
In response to concerns about changing from many sets of books to one set of textbooks and thinking that it could lead to "unification" in thinking, hindering creativity and innovation, the Ministry of Education and Training said that it will promote teacher training, fostering, innovating teaching methods and testing and evaluation to promote the proactiveness, flexibility and creativity of the teaching and learning process of teachers and students.
Proposal to review errors in general education textbooks
The National Assembly delegate also raised the issue that currently, general education textbooks have many errors and suggested that the Ministry of Education and Training review.
In response to the opinions of National Assembly deputies, the Ministry of Education and Training said that in parallel with the process of developing a plan to implement a national unified textbook series from the 2026-2027 school year, the Ministry of Education and Training will direct publishers to review technical errors in current textbooks (if any), ensuring accuracy and consistency in use.
Regarding the proposal to develop a plan to provide free textbooks for high school students, which could be a pilot for some levels of education or a compulsory educational subject on digital transformation, the Ministry of Education and Training said that the draft Law has assigned the Government to specifically regulate the free of textbooks for students.
"In response to the opinions of National Assembly deputies, the Ministry of Education and Training will coordinate with relevant agencies to study implementation options to ensure feasibility, efficiency, economy and sustainability" - the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed.
