VietNamNet Bridge – Text book selection was on the agenda as the draft revision of the Law on Education was discussed by deputies at the ongoing 32nd session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee yesterday.

Text book selection was on the agenda as the draft revision of the Law on Education was discussed by deputies at the ongoing 32nd session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee yesterday.— VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tung

Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs, Ha Ngoc Chien said while the upgrading of textbooks was necessary, they need to be mindful of waste.

The amount of textbooks needed to be purchased by students is a cause for concern for parents, he said.

Educational institutions can select textbooks for teaching and learning with consultation from teachers, students and their parents, ensuring that it is conducted in a transparent manner.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the draft revision of the law had been in line with the comprehensive renovation of education training adopted six years ago.

“The regulation that requires school to select textbooks after collecting feedback from students and their parents is too complicated,” she said, that it was not easy for parents to choose the right one.

Tong Thi Phong, NA deputy chairwoman, said granting the right to choose textbooks for schools and parents was to ensure the autonomy and flexibility in teaching, especially to suit the community as well as culture, history, geography of each region.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasised that no matter who compiled textbooks, they should be assessed by the National Appraisal Council and the Minister of Education and Training. Therefore, all textbooks in circulation must meet national standards, he said.

Yesterday, the NA deputies also discussed the Law on Architecture which aims to help the Government’s management work while orienting conservation efforts for national cultural values.

Most deputies agreed there should be regulations which promoted Vietnamese culture, minimising the adoption of architecture from foreign countries, breaking the architectural landscape of the current history, culture and environment. However, the compiling committee should make it clear on characteristic culture of the country.

Regarding to the granting of professional licence, the deputies reached a consensus on the need to authorise social and professional organisations to do the work.

They also urged further consideration for strengthening the state management in term of architecture, overcoming shortcomings in the administration of architecture, particularly in urban and rural areas. 

Source: VNS