The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is preparing a new set of textbooks for grades 1-12, scheduled for nationwide implementation starting from the 2028-2029 academic year. This initiative, outlined in a Ministry directive on 30/9, includes a significant shift: textbook copyright will transfer to MOET, and local authorities will explore self-printing options. The Department of General Education is tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to review and improve the curriculum and textbooks.
The Project Management Board will manage and hold the copyright for the new textbooks, including the transfer of author rights from Vietnam Education Publishing House to MOET. This board will also develop a strategy to leverage copyright for distributing free textbooks to students according to a planned roadmap. The Department of Planning and Finance will lead efforts to streamline textbook compilation, distribution, and supply, aiming to reduce intermediaries. This department will also investigate assigning printing responsibilities to local authorities, which could save public funds and lower textbook costs for students. Vietnam Education Publishing House must ensure free access to digital textbook versions and complete the copyright transfer.
This comprehensive roadmap follows directives from Prime Minister Le Minh Hung at a meeting in late September. The Prime Minister emphasized that the new textbooks must ensure quality, enhance teaching and learning effectiveness, and reduce exam and extra tutoring pressures. He also called for a review of the curriculum and textbooks to reduce in-depth knowledge not essential for general education, suggesting that advanced content be moved to subject-specific reference materials. Additionally, the Prime Minister proposed incorporating content on historical figures, revolutionary predecessors, and national historical, cultural, and traditional values.
MOET previously announced plans to revise the curriculum to strengthen comprehensive education, with a focus on experiential and practical learning. Students will gain knowledge in digital literacy, STEM, foreign languages, selective artificial intelligence (AI) applications, arts, and physical education. The Ministry aims to gradually establish English as a second language in schools. Specific details of these revisions have not yet been released.
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Parents and students at Nguyen Tri Phuong Bookstore and School Equipment, Ho Chi Minh City, on the afternoon of 19/8. Photo: Thanh Tung |
Currently, the "Connecting Knowledge to Life" textbook series from Vietnam Education Publishing House is used nationwide. Last September, MOET adjusted the curriculum to align with a two-tier government model and post-merger provinces/cities, leading to textbook revisions, mainly in history, geography, and economic and legal education. The Ministry will also pilot integrating AI into grades 1-12 from 12/2025. According to some textbook authors, the new series will likely be a revision of existing books rather than an entirely new creation. This approach is necessary because, under current procedures, compilation must be completed by 10/2027 at the latest to allow for timely appraisal, approval, and the start of printing in early 2028, ensuring readiness for the 2028-2029 academic year.
Thanh Hang
