On August 22, 2025, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development, requiring the provision of a unified textbook system nationwide. Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh - Former Director of the Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education and Training on this policy.
In your opinion, to achieve the goal of building a unified national textbook system, which is the most feasible option in the context of urgency?
- There are three options. First, completely renew a SGK set from the beginning. Second, choose a relatively best set and edit and edit. Third, select the best songs from many sets to put together.
In my opinion, the first option is impossible because it requires too much time and resources. The three-way plan seems attractive but can easily lead to a situation of "mechanical competition", lack of cohesion and copyright dispute. Therefore, the second option is the most feasible: choose a good framework, edit again, and selectively add some articles from other ministries but under close coordination to keep the flow consistent. I believe that this is a way to both save resources and meet timely requirements.
Which core tasks, resources need to be mobilized and which time funds are considered feasible, sir?
- In my opinion, there are three key groups of work. First, review and adjust the 2018 GDPT program, because SGK is only a tool to realize the program; if the original still has inadequacies, the book will only be a patch. Second, choose a framework and organize editing, with an independent board and a clear copyright mechanism. Third, testing, training and preparing an accompanying learning materials system for synchronous implementation.
Sources must be synchronous. The Ministry of Education and Training plays the role of "conductor"; the expert council is in charge of criticism; the Publishing House and the author take care of editing techniques; while teachers and schools respond to practical work.
Although the time is urgent, if divided into three stages - reviewing & selecting the framework, editing & reviewing, testing & training - it is still feasible. The most important thing is to think systematically, ensure progress and transparent supervision.
Which entities will participate in this process, and how should the coordination and supervision mechanism be organized?
- First of all, the Ministry of Education and Training is responsible for the highest responsibility in issuing criteria and supervision. Next, there needs to be an independent National Council, including experts, teachers, and social representatives, to review and supervise. The Publishing House and the group of authors will directly participate in editing, while teachers and schools will be the practical response force. I think that if there is transparency, publicity and periodic reporting, it will create social consensus.
A sensitive issue is the copyright and rights of groups of authors and publishers. This is a key point and the Ministry of Education and Training needs to soon issue new regulations on textbook standards: modern, scientific, easy to access for all students, mass and integrated. Only on the basis of a set of public and transparent standards can we objectively evaluate current SGK sets and choose the best framework.
At the same time, there should also be standards for textbook compilers, in line with international recommendations, for example UNESCO has emphasized: Authors must have solid expertise, pedagogical experience, understanding of measurement - assessment and the ability to design digital learning materials. When there is a clear standard framework, all debate will be based on science rather than emotion.
Regarding copyright, the State should take the initiative to buy back the right to use and establish a transparent pen proceeding mechanism, issue a separate decree or circular to protect the author. I emphasize: Only when the rights of authors are guaranteed and standards are established, will the process of merging textbooks be truly fair, scientific and convincing to society.
There are concerns that when the whole country only uses a unified textbook set, it will eliminate creativity and diversity in teaching and learning. What is your point of view?
- A unified textbook set ensures general knowledge and skills standards nationwide, but inside that set can be designed in a diverse direction in terms of approach and suggest many teaching and learning methods.
For example, the same topic can present practical situations, layered questions, or open exercises for teachers to choose the appropriate exploitation method. In addition, today's unified textbook series is not just paper books, but needs to come with digital learning materials, illustrative videos, and multi-level question banks, thanks to which teachers have creative space, students have the opportunity to access knowledge more flexibly.
In addition, SGK can help guide teachers and students to valuable learning materials related to the lesson for reference. At that time, the current textbooks after being edited according to the 2018 program have been reviewed, and should also serve as a reference document such as textbooks in other foreign languages.
Thus, it is clear that the goal does not stop at having a common SGK set nationwide. I think more importantly, this book series must become a national standard in knowledge and methods, both ensuring fairness for all students and arousing creative thinking, self-study ability and integration. In other words, this is a tool to improve the quality of general education, not just a collection of administrative documents.
In short, deciding on a new SGK or choosing a better SGK in the 3 ministries requires careful consideration of advantages and limitations, must have criteria for objective assessment of SGK, ... and should be considered and decided by managers.
Thank you for sharing!
