Circular No. 27/2023/TT-BGDĐT on the selection of textbooks in general education institutions

CIRCULAR

Article 24regulating the selection of textbooks

in general education institutions 

Pursuant to the Education Law dated June 14, 2019;

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2022/NĐ-CP dated October 24, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 127/2018/NĐ-CP dated September 21, 2018 of the Government stipulating responsibilities for state management of education;

Based on the proposal of the Director of the Primary Education Department and the Director of the Secondary Education Department;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular regulating the selection of textbooks in general education institutions.g.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular regulates the selection of textbooks in general education institutions, including: the organization and operation of the Textbook Selection Council; the organization of textbook selection; the responsibilities of relevant agencies and organizations.

Article 2. This Circular applies to primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, multi-grade schools, continuing education centers, vocational education and training centers, and other educational institutions implementing the general education program and the continuing education program for lower secondary and upper secondary levels (hereinafter referred to collectively as educational institutions), and related organizations and individuals.

Article 3. Principles of textbook selection

Clause 1. Select textbooks from the list of textbooks approved by the Minister of Education and Training for stable use in educational institutions.

Clause 2. Each grade selects one textbook for each subject and educational activity (including selected content and study topics if applicable) implemented at the educational institution (hereinafter referred to collectively as subjects).

Clause 3. The selection of textbooks must ensure democratic, objective, transparent, and fair practices for the benefit of students.

Article 4. Criteria for textbook selection

Clause 1. Suitable with the economic and social characteristics of the locality.

Clause 2. Suitable with the conditions for teaching and learning at the educational institution.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE TEXTBOOK SELECTION COUNCIL

Article 5. Textbook Selection Council

Clause 1. The Textbook Selection Council of the educational institution (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is established by the Principal of the educational institution or the Director of the Continuing Education Center, the Director of the Vocational Education and Training Center, or the head of educational institutions implementing the general education program and the continuing education program for lower secondary and upper secondary levels (hereinafter referred to as the head). The Council assists the head of the educational institution in organizing the selection of textbooks. Each educational institution establishes one Council. For educational institutions with multiple levels, each level establishes one Council.

Clause 2. Number and composition of Council members

a) The Council includes: the head, deputy head; heads of specialized groups, specialized teams, specialized departments (hereinafter referred to collectively as specialized groups); representatives of teachers and parents' representative council of the educational institution. The number of Council members is an odd number, a minimum of eleven (11) people. For educational institutions with less than ten (10) classes, the minimum number of Council members is five (5) people;

b) The composition of the Council includes: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Council members. The Chairman of the Council is the head; in cases where the head cannot participate in the Council according to Clause 3 of Article 5 of this Circular and due to force majeure, the Chairman of the Council is the deputy head. The Vice-Chairman of the Council is the deputy head or the head of a specialized group. The Secretary of the Council is chosen among the Council members.

Clause 3. Individuals who have participated in the compilation of textbooks or directed the compilation, publication, printing, and distribution of textbooks (in the list of textbooks approved by the Minister of Education and Training); parents, spouses, parents-in-law, children, siblings, and in-laws of individuals who have participated in the compilation of textbooks or directed the compilation, publication, printing, and distribution of textbooks; individuals working at publishing houses and organizations with textbooks shall not participate in the Council.

Article 5. Principles of Operation of the Council

1. The Council operates on the principles of centralization, democracy, objectivity, transparency, and compliance with the law.

2. A meeting of the Council shall be considered valid when at least three-quarters (3/4) of its members participate, including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary of the Council.

3. The results of each Council meeting shall be recorded in minutes, which include all opinions of the members and are made public at the Council. The minutes must be signed by the Chairperson and the Secretary of the Council.

Article 6. Duties of the Council and Members of the Council

1. Duties of the Council

a) Organize the review of the minutes of meetings of specialized teams; teachers' comment and evaluation forms for textbooks; lists of textbooks selected by specialized teams;

b) Compile and propose to the head of the organization the list of textbooks selected by specialized teams after they have been reviewed and meet the requirements stipulated in this Circular.

2. Duties and powers of Council members

a) Duties and powers of the Chairperson of the Council:

- Be responsible for the activities of the Council, develop and organize the implementation of the Council's work plan;

- Implement the activities of the Council as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article; Assign tasks to the Vice-Chairperson of the Council, the Secretary of the Council, and Council members (the content of the assignment is documented in writing and kept in the Council's working file); Chair Council meetings and preside over the approval of the minutes after each session of the Council; recommend supplementary or replacement members of the Council (if necessary);

- Handle situations arising during the selection of textbooks within the scope of authority;

- Be accountable for explaining the textbook selection process of the educational institution;

- Perform the duties and powers of a Council member;

b) Duties and powers of the Vice-Chairperson of the Council:

- Carry out tasks assigned or delegated by the Chairperson of the Council; be accountable to the Chairperson of the Council for the tasks assigned;

- Perform the duties and powers of a Council member;

c) Duties and powers of the Secretary of the Council:

- Assist the Chairperson of the Council in preparing the content and program of the Council's work;

- Draft the minutes of the Council's meetings;

- Perform the duties and powers of a Council member;

d) Duties and powers of Council members:

- Fully participate in Council sessions; in case of absence, submit a written report and obtain the Chairperson of the Council's approval;

- Review the minutes of meetings of specialized teams, teachers' comment and evaluation forms for textbooks, and lists of textbooks selected by specialized teams;

- Perform other tasks assigned by the Chairperson of the Council.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF TEXTBOOK SELECTION

Article 7. Textbook Selection Process in Educational Institutions

1. The Council develops a plan to organize the selection of textbooks for the educational institution; assigns tasks to Council members.

2. Textbook selection at specialized teams

a) Based on the Council's plan and criteria for selecting textbooks, the team leader of the specialized team develops a plan to organize the selection of textbooks for each subject structured within the specialized team, reports to the head before implementation;

b) Involve all teachers of the subject in the educational institution (including civil servants, contractual employees, dispatched teachers, visiting lecturers, and inter-school teachers) in the selection of textbooks for that subject;

c) At least twenty days before the first meeting of the specialized team, the team leader organizes for teachers of the subject to study the textbooks of the subject, write comment and evaluation forms for the textbooks according to the selection criteria;

d) The team leader convenes a meeting with teachers of the subject to discuss and vote to select one (1) textbook for that subject. In cases where only one textbook has been approved by the Minister of Education and Training, the specialized team selects the textbook from the decision without voting.

The selected textbook must be chosen by at least half (1/2) of the teachers of the subject. If no textbook meets this criterion, the specialized team must discuss and vote again; the selected textbook will be the one with the highest number of votes in the second round. In both rounds, if two textbooks have the same highest number of votes, the team leader decides to choose one among them.

Meetings of specialized teams shall be recorded in minutes, which include full comments and evaluations of textbooks by participating teachers, and the minutes must be signed by the team leader and the person designated to record the minutes.

e) The team leader compiles the results, prepares a list of textbooks selected by the specialized team, signed by the team leader and the person designated to prepare the list of textbooks.

3. The Council convenes to discuss and evaluate the organization of textbook selection by specialized teams; reviews the minutes of meetings of specialized teams; teachers' comment and evaluation forms for textbooks as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article; compiles the results of textbook selection by specialized teams into minutes (including contents: comments and evaluations on the organization of textbook selection by specialized teams; lists of textbooks selected by specialized teams), the minutes must be signed by the Chairperson and the Secretary of the Council.

4. The Council proposes to the head the list of textbooks selected by specialized teams in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

5. The educational institution establishes a textbook selection file and sends it to the Department of Education and Training (for primary and lower secondary levels) or the Provincial Department of Education and Training (for upper secondary level). The file includes:

a) Decision establishing the Council of the educational institution;

b) Minutes of Council meetings as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article;

c) List of textbooks selected by the educational institution.

Article 8. Review of application files and approval of textbook selection results

1. The Department of Education and Training shall review the application files for textbook selection of educational institutions under its management as prescribed in Clause 5, Article 7 of this Circular; report to the Provincial Department of Education and Training on the review results and the list of textbooks selected by educational institutions under its management.

2. The Provincial Department of Education and Training shall review the application files for textbook selection of educational institutions under its management as prescribed in Clause 5, Article 7 of this Circular; examine the reports from the Departments of Education and Training on the review results and the lists of textbooks selected by educational institutions as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article; compile the results, prepare a list of textbooks selected by educational institutions (accompanied by the application files for textbook selection of educational institutions as prescribed in Clause 5, Article 7 of this Circular), and submit them to the People's Committee of the province for consideration and approval.

3. Based on the results of textbook selection reported by the Provincial Department of Education and Training, the People's Committee of the province shall decide to approve the list of textbooks selected by educational institutions.

Article 9. Sources of funding for organizing textbook selection

The sources of funding for organizing textbook selection shall be guaranteed by the state budget and allocated in the regular budget estimates of units according to the state budget classification. The content and level of expenditure for textbook selection activities shall be implemented in accordance with current regulations. In cases where there are special levels of expenditure outside the general provisions of the Ministry of Finance, the People's Committee of the province shall submit to the People's Council of the province for decision in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law.

Article 10. Announcement of approved textbook lists

The People's Committee of the province shall publish on mass media the approved list of textbooks for use in educational institutions in the locality; the Provincial Department of Education and Training shall direct educational institutions to notify the approved list of textbooks to teachers, students, and parents of students before April 30 each year.

Article 11. Adjustment and supplementation of textbook selection lists

1. During the process of use, based on the recommendations of teachers, students, and parents of students (if any), educational institutions shall report and propose to the Department of Education and Training (for primary and secondary schools) or the Provincial Department of Education and Training (for high schools) regarding the adjustment and supplementation of the textbook list.

2. The adjustment and supplementation of the approved textbook list shall be carried out according to the procedures for textbook selection prescribed in this Circular.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 12. People's Committee of the province

1. Based on the criteria for textbook selection prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular, specify the criteria for textbook selection.

2. Based on the provisions of Chapter II and Chapter III of this Circular, direct the education management agencies to guide educational institutions in selecting textbooks and using textbooks.

3. Decide to approve the list of textbooks selected by educational institutions in the locality.

4. Ensure funding and material resources to organize textbook selection.

5. Publicize and ensure transparency in information on textbook selection and explain to public opinion about decisions on the stable use of textbooks in educational institutions in the area.

6. Direct inspections and checks on the organization of textbook selection in accordance with the law.

Article 13. Department of Education and Training

1. Assist the provincial People's Committee in organizing the selection of textbooks, including the following tasks:

a) Based on the provisions of Article 3 of this Circular, advise the provincial People's Committee to specify specific criteria for selecting textbooks;

b) Guide, inspect, and audit educational institutions under its management in selecting and using textbooks according to regulations;

c) Prepare and consolidate the budget estimate, propose material resources to be submitted to the competent authority for approval to allocate for the organization of textbook selection activities;

d) Review the selection file of textbooks of educational institutions under its management according to Clause 5, Article 7 of this Circular; review the reports of the Departments of Education and Training on the results of the review and the list of selected textbooks of educational institutions; compile the results of textbook selection of educational institutions and submit them to the provincial People's Committee for consideration and approval.

2. Notify the list of selected textbooks approved by the provincial People's Committee to educational institutions.

3. Report to the Ministry of Education and Training on the list of selected textbooks; provide written information to organizations and publishers with selected textbooks about the list and quantity of textbooks each organization and publisher needs to supply to educational institutions in the locality at the time of announcing the approved list of textbooks according to Article 10 of this Circular.

4. Conduct inspections and audits of the organization of textbook selection and usage in accordance with the law.

Article 14. People's Committees of districts, towns, cities under provinces, and cities directly under the central government

1. Direct the Departments of Education and Training to guide and inspect educational institutions under their management in organizing the selection of textbooks.

2. Ensure financial resources and material facilities for organizing the selection of textbooks.

3. Conduct inspections and audits of the organization of textbook selection and usage in accordance with the law.

Article 15. Departments of Education and Training

1. Guide and inspect educational institutions under their management in organizing the selection of textbooks. Review the selection files of textbooks of educational institutions under their management according to Clause 5, Article 7 of this Circular; compile and report to the Department of Education and Training the list of selected textbooks of educational institutions under their management.

2. Direct educational institutions under their management to notify teachers, students, and parents of the list of approved textbooks; guide the use of textbooks according to regulations.

3. Propose a budget estimate to the People's Committees of districts, towns, cities under provinces, and cities directly under the central government to allocate financial resources and material facilities for educational institutions under their management to organize the selection of textbooks.

4. Inspect educational institutions under their management regarding the organization of textbook selection and usage in accordance with the law.

Article 16. Educational Institutions

1. Organize the selection of textbooks according to this Circular.

2. Notify teachers, students, and parents of the list of textbooks approved by the provincial People's Committee for use in the educational institution.

3. Use textbooks effectively during teaching; guide teachers, students, and parents on the use of textbooks according to regulations.

4. Compile recommendations from teachers, students, and parents (if any) regarding adjustments and supplements to the list of approved textbooks by the provincial People's Committee, and report to the Department of Education and Training (for secondary schools) or the Department of Education and Training (for primary and junior high schools) before implementing according to this Circular.

5. Be responsible to educational management agencies, students, and parents regarding the organization of textbook selection by the educational institution according to Article 7 of this Circular.

6. Develop a budget estimate and submit it to the competent authority for approval of funds for organizing the selection of textbooks according to the State Budget Law.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 17. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 12, 2024.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 25/2020/TT-BGDĐT dated August 26, 2020, issued by the Minister of Education and Training, which stipulates the selection of textbooks in general education institutions.

Article 18. Responsibility for Implementation

The Head of the Office, Heads of Primary Education Department, Secondary Education Department, Continuing Education Department, and Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; Chairpersons of all levels of People's Committees, Directors of Departments of Education and Training, Heads of Departments of Education and Training, heads of educational institutions, related organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.