What is a textbook according to the law in Vietnam? What are principles for compiling textbooks in Vietnam?

What is a textbook according to the law in Vietnam?

* Note: The standards, compilation, and amendment process for textbooks, as well as the standards for organizations and individuals involved in the compilation of textbooks, and the organization and operation of the National Textbook Appraisal Council are promulgated under Circular 33/2017/TT-BGDDT (referred to as the Regulation promulgated under Circular 33/2017/TT-BGDDT).

According to Clause 1, Article 2 of the Regulation promulgated under Circular 33/2017/TT-BGDDT, a textbook is a publication that concretizes the requirements of the general education program; approved by the Minister of Education and Training, and permitted to be used as official teaching materials in general education institutions.

What are principles for compiling textbooks in Vietnam?

According to Article 3 of the Regulation promulgated under Circular 33/2017/TT-BGDDT, the principles that need to be noted when compiling textbooks are as follows:

[1] Comply with the viewpoints and guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam; adhere to the Constitution and laws of Vietnam.

[2] Specifically: concretize the objectives, contents, educational methods, and assessment results of the general education program; ensure coherence between educational levels, grades, subjects, and educational activities.

[3] Align with the specific conditions of Vietnam and be consistent with advanced educational trends worldwide, ensuring the best interests of learners.

Additionally, according to Article 5 of the Regulation promulgated under Circular 33/2017/TT-BGDDT, the content of textbooks must ensure:

- The content of textbooks correctly and fully reflects the subject or educational activity program; ensuring the basics, scientific accuracy, feasibility, and relevance to Vietnamese reality.

- Terminology, concepts, definitions, data, events, and images must be accurate, objective, consistent, and appropriate to students' levels; the sources of data, events, and images must be clear.

- New scientific achievements relevant to the subject program or educational activities must be updated to meet international integration requirements and align with the objectives of the subject program or educational activities.

- Educational content related to national sovereignty, human rights, child rights, gender equality, sustainable development, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation must be reasonably integrated.

What is a textbook according to the law in Vietnam? What are principles for compiling textbooks in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are the principles for presenting the name of a textbook in Vietnam?

The requirements for presenting the name of a textbook are stipulated in sub-section 4.1, Section 4 of the National Standard TCVN 13909:2024 on Textbooks - Requirements and testing methods as follows:

Requirements

4.1 Content presentation

4.1.1 Cover 1

Present in the order from top to bottom the following information:

4.1.1.1 Author's name (individual or collective)

a) For individual authors, list their full name, along with academic titles and degrees (if any);

b) For collective authors, include the name of the chief editor, editor (if any).

4.1.1.2 Book title

Present the following information in order:

- Textbook;

- Subject or educational activity;

- Grade level or educational stage (if any);

- Volume number (if any).

4.1.1.3 Logo, name of the publisher, and logo, name of the collaborating partner:

The position, quantity of the logo, name of the publisher, and logo, name of the collaborating partner are mutually agreed upon by the parties. However, the logo, name of the collaborating partner must not be placed above or be larger in size or quantity than the logo, name of the publisher.

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Thus, according to the above regulations, the principles for presenting the name of a textbook are as follows:

- Textbook;

- Subject or educational activity;

- Grade level or educational stage (if any);

- Volume number (if any).

Who has the authority to establish the National Textbook Appraisal Council in Vietnam?

According to Article 12 of the Regulation promulgated under Circular 33/2017/TT-BGDDT, the regulations on the National Textbook Appraisal Council are as follows:

National Textbook Appraisal Council

1. The National Textbook Appraisal Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is an organization established by the Minister of Education and Training for each subject, educational activity at each educational level, to assist the Minister of Education and Training in appraising textbooks.

2. The Council includes scientists, educators, experienced and reputable educators, and representatives of relevant organizations; at least 1/3 (one-third) of the total number of members must be teachers currently teaching the corresponding subject or educational activity at the relevant educational level. The number of Council members must be an odd number, with a minimum of 7 (seven) members.

In addition, according to Clause 2, Article 32 of the Education Law 2019:

Textbooks for general education

...

2. The National Textbook Appraisal Council is established by the Minister of Education and Training for each subject, educational activity at each educational level to appraise textbooks. The Council consists of teachers, education administrators, experienced and reputable educators, and representatives of relevant agencies and organizations. The Council must have at least one-third of its members who are teachers currently teaching at the relevant educational level. The Council and its members are responsible for the content and quality of the appraisal.

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Thus, according to the above regulations, the National Textbook Appraisal Council is established by the Minister of Education and Training for each subject.