Vietnam PM Orders Resolution of Textbook Shortages by September 25

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed relevant agencies to "resolve" the textbook shortage issue, which has become severe in some areas despite the start of the new school year, by September 25. The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance have been urged to take urgent measures to address this problem. This directive comes in response to reports that many students have not yet received their textbooks, even as numerous schools have commenced the new academic term. Specifically, shortages have been reported for certain textbooks that align with the new curriculum. The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance to expedite the textbook printing and distribution process and to develop and implement concrete plans to deliver the needed textbooks to students promptly. He also called for appropriate measures regarding textbook pricing, taking into consideration the financial burden on parents. In Vietnam, investment in education is positioned as a crucial pillar of the nation's growth strategy. Textbook shortages not only directly impact the quality of education but also represent an urgent issue for the government from the perspective of equal educational opportunities for all citizens. Within the one-party system, the swift and effective implementation of government directives will be key to resolving the problem. While textbook shortages and the rising cost of educational materials have been raised as issues in the past, the current situation, coinciding with the transition to a new curriculum, demands even greater action. The government aims to maintain trust in the education system and support students' learning motivation by resolving this issue promptly.