On September 21, the National Assembly Standing Committee considered a summary report on the National Assembly's work on people's petitions in August 2026.
Presenting a summary report, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee for Petitions and Supervision Le Thi Nga said that voters and people highly appreciate the proactive, flexible, and drastic direction and administration of the Government and the Prime Minister.
Besides the achieved results, voters and people are concerned and worried about the shortage of textbooks at all levels of education before and after the opening day in some localities; the quality of semi-boarding meals for students; policies to care for students, cultural education, ethics, and healthy lifestyles for the young generation; teaching and learning conditions; tuition fees at the beginning of the school year; ensuring safety for students going to school.
Speaking to contribute opinions, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai shared that last weekend the Committee for Culture and Society organized a meeting to explain the Minister of Education and Training (MOET) on issues related to the sector that voters are very concerned about.
The problem of textbook shortage has initially been resolved, and the Ministry of Education and Training has also clearly pointed out the causes. As of the explanation session of the Minister of Education and Training (September 20), the number of textbooks still lacking is about 900,000 copies (accounting for 0.25% of the total 240 million copies), and the recovery speed is very fast.
Regarding the cause, according to Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai, leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training have determined that it is due to inaccurate forecasting work, along with the fact that many provinces and cities plan to exempt textbooks, causing parents to passively wait for schools to provide them.
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai noted that although the book shortage is localized, it is concentrated in some book titles, in some localities, especially remote and isolated areas.
Forecasting and statistics of demand are entirely the responsibility of management and we can do it soon" - Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai expressed and said that the consequences for students are lack of books, causing frustration for parents, and also mental and material damage.
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai also said that there is a phenomenon of collecting books, profiteering, raising selling prices higher or fraud and buying and selling online; for the first time and never before has there been such a big incident.
The Minister of Education and Training has committed not to let it happen again, but the Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Science, Technology and Environment expressed concern about the actual number of students who do not have enough textbooks, because there may be students with 2 sets, and there may be students without any set.
From there, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai proposed a commitment that 100% of students have enough textbooks and the supervision of the Committee for Culture and Society. In addition, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai also proposed to have a data report so that when contacting voters, National Assembly deputies can report to the people.
Speaking to clarify some issues, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau emphasized that with issues directly affecting people's lives such as: operation of two-level local governments; textbooks, school meals... the Prime Minister's viewpoint is to handle to the end issues under his authority and clarify the responsibilities of organizations and individuals for slow handling.
This morning, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister met with the Ministry of Education and Training to direct the thorough handling of the shortage of textbooks before September 25.
The Government and the Prime Minister have directed the Ministry to identify textbooks as essential goods to have a timely management and supply mechanism; including reviewing the price structure, improving quality; continuing to reduce textbook prices" - Deputy Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Education and Training to study and consider adjusting the 2018 General Education Program.
