Unifying a set of free textbooks and roadmap nationwide
The book series "Connecting knowledge with life" was selected as a national unified textbook series for use from the 2026 - 2027 school year.
On the morning of January 7, the Office of the President held a press conference to announce 12 laws passed by the 15th National Assembly at the 10th Session.
Among the laws announced, there are 3 laws related to education, including the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education; the Law on Higher Education; the Law on Vocational Education. The laws take effect from January 1, 2026.
At the press conference, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc said that the new law stipulates that the Minister of Education and Training decides on a set of textbooks to unify nationwide and the Government stipulates a roadmap for free textbooks, ensuring standards, stability and fairness in access to textbooks.
For local educational documents, the law stipulates that the professional agency under the provincial People's Committee organizes the compilation to meet the needs and in accordance with the characteristics of the locality.
The local educational document appraisal council is established by the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee. The Council and Council members are responsible for the content and quality of the appraisal.
The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee approves local educational documents for use in general education institutions after being assessed and classified by the Provincial Council.
The Minister of Education and Training stipulates standards, procedures for compiling, editing and appraising local educational documents.
The Law amends and supplements a number of articles of the Law on Education stipulating the removal of secondary school graduation certificates instead of confirming the completion of programs in accordance with the regulations on compulsory education at the junior high school level, reducing pressure on students and in accordance with international practices.
Regulate that diplomas and certificates are issued in paper or digital form to meet digital transformation requirements and facilitate the authentication and reviewing of diplomas and certificates.
Along with that, increase the authority of school principals and heads of educational institutions in confirming the completion of junior high school and awarding high school graduation certificates to enhance proactiveness associated with accountability of heads of educational institutions...
Another content is to assign the Minister of Education and Training to regulate the implementation of the junior high school education program and the education program under the program to be granted a certificate by the national education system at general education, vocational education, and higher education institutions, instead of having to be permitted by the state management agency of education with competent authority.
Thereby reducing the request-grant procedure, creating more favorable conditions for flexible and integrated training models but still ensuring quality control.
Responding to the press about the selection of a unified set of textbooks, Mr. Dao Hong Cuong - Deputy Director of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Education and Training - said that this selection has been made public by the Ministry on the website.
According to Mr. Cuong, on December 26, 2025, the Minister of Education and Training issued Decision 3588 approving a nationwide unified textbook set for use from the 2026-2027 school year.
Thereby, the book series "Connecting knowledge with life" of the Education Publishing House was selected as a national unified textbook series for use from the 2026 - 2027 school year.
This person said that the process of selecting textbooks is carried out by the Ministry of Education and Training in accordance with regulations.
Regarding the exemption of textbooks, according to Mr. Cuong, this content is determined in Resolution 71 of the Politburo, which assigned the Government to regulate the exemption of textbooks.
Mr. Cuong added that on December 31, 2025, the Prime Minister issued a decision on the list, assigning the presiding agencies, and drafting detailed guidance documents on the laws and Resolutions passed at the 10th Session.
In which, the Ministry is assigned to implement the development of many decrees, including a decree on free textbooks. It is expected that in April 2026, the Ministry will advise the Government to issue this decree.
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