The Hanoi Department of Education and Training announced the roadmap on the morning of 28/8 at a conference organized by the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department.
The city did not implement the policy for the 2026-2027 academic year because books could not be prepared in time for the opening day. Government Decree 271 on free general education textbooks was issued in early July, while the deadline for receiving, warehousing, and inventorying books for the new academic year was 15/6.
To purchase books, the city must prepare estimates, develop plans, and organize bidding processes. Schools are then required to lend books to students at least 15 days before the opening day. The remaining time was insufficient to complete these tasks.
On 10/8, the Hanoi People's Committee (UBND) assigned the Department of Education and Training to develop plans for subsequent academic years. The department is currently gathering feedback from various units, communes, and wards to determine student numbers, existing book quantities, supplementary purchase needs, and implementation costs.
Books will be provided free of charge through a borrow-and-return system. At the start of each academic year or semester, each student will borrow one complete set according to the curriculum and return them after use for the next cohort of students.
Schools must prioritize utilizing books in good condition and transfer them between libraries within the same area before purchasing new ones. This method helps reduce budget expenditure, limit waste, and conserve resources.
In addition to general education textbooks, Hanoi is also developing a roadmap for free tuition and textbooks for National Defense and Security Education for students and university students under its management.
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A textbook store in Hanoi. Photo: Hoang Giang
Politburo Resolution 71 and Government Decree 271 aim to provide free textbooks for students nationwide starting from the 2029-2030 academic year. Localities that can balance their budgets or mobilize social resources may implement the policy earlier.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, Quang Ninh, Hue City, Ho Chi Minh City, Ca Mau, and Khanh Hoa have already allocated funds to implement the policy.
Vo Hai
