Vietnam Oversees Education Ministry Over Textbook Shortages, Aims to Prevent Recurrence

The Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee has decided to conduct specialized supervision of the Ministry of Education and Training to resolve textbook shortages and prevent recurrence. The Central Party Office issued Official Document No. 5099-CV/VPTW, announcing the establishment of a specialized inspection team for the implementation of Resolution 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo. This decision follows an explanation by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the causes of the current textbook shortages. The ministry analyzed that past shortcomings in educational policy planning and issues in the textbook revision process led to the severe lack of textbooks. Furthermore, the ministry stated its intention to comprehensively review and adjust textbooks in a phased manner, ensuring quality, to prevent such situations from recurring. Additionally, the Ministry of Education and Training has instructed local authorities to scrutinize the results of the high school graduation exams. This is believed to aim at collecting data to improve the overall quality of the education system and contribute to future textbook supply and educational program planning. Under Vietnam's one-party system, it is common for the Party Central Committee to exercise supervisory authority over important national matters, including education policy. This measure can be interpreted as a demonstration of the government's capacity to address issues in the education sector and its consideration for citizens' right to education. In Vietnam's continuously growing economy, high-quality education is an essential element for nurturing the future workforce and strengthening international competitiveness. Textbook shortages are a matter that could undermine this foundation, thus garnering strong attention from Party leadership.