Vietnam Should Invite More Experts in Textbook Reforms: Lawmakers

Vietnamese lawmakers proposed on Nov. 11 the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) hand over the compilation of textbooks to experts and organizations to increase their quality. Lawmakers said that the quality of the textbooks remains poor as they are so academic, theoretical and overloaded, and become one of the biggest unsolved problems in the education sector, although the country has spent trillions of dong on rewriting textbooks over the years. They suggested that the country should now think of the possibility of having more than one set of textbooks for every grade. The textbooks should cover wider contents of knowledge so that they can be used for 10-15 years instead of 2-3 years as currently to reduce financial burdens on parents, they noted. They blamed the situation on the monopoly and central planning in the textbook compilation process, suggesting that the MoET should appraise the work in a more transparent manner. Minister Pham Vu Luan, in response, said that his ministry has never directly written textbooks but cooperated with scientists and teachers to compile and appraise them. He agreed that Vietnam needs a revolution in the sector, but said that the country needs some more time to think of it. (Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi Nov 11 p2, Tien Phong – Pioneer Nov 11 p3, Tuoi Tre Nov 11 p2)