MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING | SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM |
No: 33/2017/TT-BGDDT | Hanoi, December 22 2017 |
CIRCULAR
STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND REVISION OF TEXTBOOKS; STANDARDS FOR TEXTBOOK DEVELOPERS; ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF NATIONAL TEXT BOOK APPRAISAL COUNCILS
Pursuant to Law on Education dated June 14, 2005 and the Law on amendments thereto dated November 25, 2009;
Pursuant to the Resolution No. 88/2014/QH13 of the National Assembly on renovation of curriculum and textbooks in general education;
Pursuant to Decree No. 69/2017/ND-CP dated May 25, 2017 by the Government defining the function, tasks, entitlements and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 75/2006/ND-CP dated August 02, 2006, elaborating and providing guidance on the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Education; the Government's Decree No. 31/2011/ND-CP dated May 11, 2011 on the amendments to the Government's Decree No. 75/2006/ND-CP dated August 02, 2006, elaborating and providing guidance on the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Education; the Government's Decree No. 07/2013/ND-CP dated January 09, 2013 on amendments to Point b Clause 13 Article 1 of Decree No. 31/2011/ND-CP;
At the proposal of the Director General of Primary Education Department, the Director General of Secondary Education Department;
The Minister of Education and Training promulgates a Circular on the standards and procedures for development and revision of textbooks; standards for textbook developers and organization and operation of the National Textbook Appraisal Council.
Article 1.The Regulation on standards and procedures for development and revision of textbooks; standards for textbook developers and organization and operation of the National Textbook Appraisal Council are promulgated together with this Circular.
Article 2.This Circular takes effect on February 06 2018.
This Circular replaces the regulation on the organization and operation of National Textbook Appraisal Councils promulgated together with Decision No. 37/2001/QD-BGDDT dated August 10, 2001 of the Minister of Education and Training on the organization and operation of National Textbook Appraisal Councils; Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BGDDT dated December 14, 2015 of the Ministry of Education and Training on criteria for evaluating English textbooks in general education.
Article 3.Chief of Office, Director Generals of Primary Education Department and Secondary Education Department, Heads of relevant units affiliated to the Ministry of Education and Training, Chairmen of provincial People’s Committees, Directors of Departments of Education and Training and relevant organizations, individuals shall implement this Circular.
| PP THE MINISTER |
REGULATION
ON STANDARDS AND PROCESS FOR COMPILATION AND REVISION OF TEXTBOOKS; STANDARDS FOR ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS COMPILING TEXTBOOKS; ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEXTBOOK APPRAISAL
(Attached to Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BGDDT dated December 22, 2017 by the Minister of Education and Training)
Chapter I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope and regulated entities
1. This document provides for the standards, compilation and editing process of textbooks; standards for organizations, individuals compiling textbooks and the organization and operation of the National Textbook Appraisal Council.
2. This document applies to organizations, individuals developing textbooks (hereinafter referred to as “textbook developers”), National Textbook Appraisal Council and other related organizations, individuals.
Article 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms below shall be construed as follow:
1. ”textbook” means the a published material concretizing the requirements on educational objectives and contents, which are approved by the Ministry of Education and Training and allowed to be used as the official teaching materials at general education institutions.
2. ”sample textbook” means the complete draft of the textbook which has been edited, plated and printed out in the form of a book, on the first cover and the title page shall have the word “sample”.
Article 3. Textbook development rules:
1. Comply with the guidelines of the Communist Party of Vietnam and compliant with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam.
2. Specify targets, contents, methods of education and evaluation of general education results; ensure the transferability among different levels, subjects and educational activities.
3. Be appropriate for conditions of Vietnam and consistent with the global trends in education, and ensure the interests of students.
Chapter II.
STANDARDS, PROCEDURES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND REVISION OF TEXTBOOKS
Article 4. Prerequisites for textbooks
1. The content and appearance of textbooks shall comply with regulations of Vietnamese laws and the national standards for publications.
2. The content and appearance of textbooks shall not discriminate against ethnicities, religions, professions, genders, ages and social status;
Article 5. Contents of textbooks
1. The contents of textbooks must present accurately and adequately the contents of the subject’s program or the educational activity; ensure the basic, scientific and practical characteristics and be consistent with the reality of Vietnam.
2. The terms, concepts, definitions, figures, events, images used in textbooks shall be accurate, objective, consistent and suitable for students’ ages; the cited figures, events, images shall have clear sources.
3. New scientific achievements relating to the subject's program, educational activities shall be updated on the textbook to meet the requirements of international integration and the objectives of the subject’s program and educational activity.
4. The contents of national sovereignty, human rights, children’s rights, gender equality, sustainable development, environment protection, adaptation to climate change shall be presented properly.
Article 6. Methods of education and evaluation of educational outcomes of textbooks
1. The lessons of the textbook shall enable teachers to creatively apply student-centered teaching method and related activities; encourage students to be active, creative in learning and develop their potentials.
2. The lessons of the textbook shall present precisely, sufficiently, clearly the qualities and capabilities students have to achieve and the requirements for evaluation of educational outcomes prescribed in the program, which serve as a basis for accurate educational assessment.
Article 7. Structure of textbooks
1. A textbook shall be divided into sections, chapters or topics; have lessons, glossary and table of contents.
2. A lesson in a textbook shall have the following components: introduction, knowledge of the lesson, practice and application.
Article 8. Language and design of textbooks
1. The language used in textbooks is Vietnamese (except for textbooks of foreign languages and ethnic languages). The language used in textbooks must follow rules of spelling and grammar, abbreviations, signs, transcription, measurement units of measurements stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training on. The writing style of textbooks must be clear, comprehensible, suitable for students’ ages and precisely presenting the content of lessons.
2. The design of the textbook shall maintain balance between texts and images, symbols, fonts and size of letters.
3. Pictures, photographs, charts, tables, maps in the textbook shall be clear, accurate, updated, to the contents of lessons, students’ ages and indication of cited sources.
Article 9. Procedures for textbook development and revision:
1. Procedures for textbook development:
a) The textbook developer shall submit the draft of the textbook to a publisher which meets the standards prescribed in Clause 1 Article 18 of this Circular.
b) The publisher shall edit and complete the draft of the textbook and cooperate with its developer in running the pilot application of the textbook;
c) The Minister of Education and Training shall organize the appraisal of the textbook in accordance with regulations prescribed in Chapter IV of this Circular;
d) The publisher shall cooperate with its developer in completing the sample textbook after appraisal;
dd) The Minister of Education and Training shall consider approving the textbook.
2. Procedures for textbook revision:
a) During the application of a textbook, such textbook can be revised;
b) The procedures for revising the textbook is the same as the procedures for textbook development prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, except for the regulation on pilot implementation. The Minister of Education and Training shall decide whether the revised textbook needs to undergo pilot application.
Chapter III
STANDARDS FOR TEXTBOOK DEVELOPERS
Article 10. Standards for organizations
An organization may develop textbooks if:
1. It is established according to regulations of Vietnam’s laws;
2. It has a textbook development team which meets the standards prescribed in Article 11 of this Circular.
3. It finds a publisher which meets the standards prescribed in Clause 1 Article 18 of this Circular and agrees to organize the textbook development, complete the textbook sample, cooperate in organizing the pilot implementation and requesting appraisal of the textbook.
Article 11. Standards for individuals:
1. An individual may participate in textbook development if he/she:
a) has at least a bachelor’s degree and thorough knowledge about educational sciences and content of the textbook;
b) has full citizenship, good moral qualities and ideology.
2. An individual that has participated in development of a textbook shall not participate in the appraisal of the same textbook.
Chapter IV.
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF NATIONAL TEXTBOOK APPRAISAL COUNCIL
Article 12. National Textbook Appraisal Council
1. A National Textbook Appraisal Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) is an organization established specifically for a particular subject, educational activity in a particular educational stage by the Minister of Education and Training to assist the Minister in appraising textbooks.
2. The members of the Council are scientists, educators, experienced education managers and representatives of related organizations. At least one-thirds of the Council’s member must be teachers who are teaching the subject at the same educational stage. The number of the Council’s members shall be an odd number, the minimum of which shall be 7 (seven) people.
3. Tasks of the Council
a) Appraise the textbooks for a subject, educational activity of grades in an educational stage according to the contents prescribed in Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular.
b) Propose the Minister of Education and Training to consider the approval for use of the textbook;
4. The Council shall consist of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and members of the Council.
5. The Council and its members shall be responsible for the content and quality of the appraisal.
Article 13. Standards for members of the Council
A member of the Council shall:
1. Have good moral qualities and ideology; adequate health and time for textbook appraisal.
2. Have at least a bachelor’s degree and knowledge about educational sciences and content of the textbook.
3. Have participated in one the following works: general education program development or appraisal, textbook development or appraisal; or have at least 3 years’ teacher at the educational stage that uses the textbook.
Article 14. Responsibilities and entitlements of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and members of the Council
1. Responsibilities and entitlements of the chairperson of the Council
a) Take responsibility for the operation of the Council to the Ministry of Education and Training;
b) Contact the appraising unit in accordance with regulations prescribed in clause 1 Article 19 of this Circular;
c) Prepare and implement the working plan of the Council in accordance with the schedule; assign tasks to members of the Council;
d) Chair the meetings of the Council, ratify the minutes of each meeting of the Council;
dd) Report and cooperate with the appraising unit to handle any unusual case during the appraisal;
e) Propose addition or change of members of the Council (if necessary);
g) Authorize the vice-chairperson to perform certain tasks. The authorization shall be recorded in writing and attached to the working file of the Council;
h) Perform other tasks and entitlements as prescribed in clause 4 of this Article;
2. Responsibilities and entitlements of the vice-chairperson of the Council
a) Take responsibility for performance of the tasks assigned or authorized by the chairperson.
b) Assist the chairperson of the Council in preparing the documents of the Council’s meetings and convening meetings of the Council.
c) Perform other tasks and entitlements as prescribed in clause 4 of this Article;
3. Responsibilities and entitlements of the secretary of the Council:
a) Assist the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Council in preparing the documents of the Council’s meetings.
b) Prepare minutes of meetings, consolidated reports on opinions and requests offered during the meetings of the Council; take responsibility for the adequacy and truthfulness of the minutes.
c) After the Council has made the report on conclusion, gather and transfer all related documents to the textbook appraising unit;
d) Perform entitlements and responsibilities of the member of the Council as prescribed in clause 4 of this Article;
4. Responsibilities and entitlements of members of the Council:
a) Carry out the textbook appraisal in accordant with regulations prescribed in Article 16 of this Circular and other tasks assigned by the chairperson of the Council;
b) Attend all the meetings of the Council; in case of absence, send written notices to the chairperson;
c) Take responsibility for the opinions offered during the textbook appraisal;
d) Have the rights to request documents relating to the appraisal, offer opinions; send their opinions in writing to the appraising unit.
Article 15. Working principles of the Council:
1. The Council’s operation shall ensure concentration, democracy, objectivity and transparency.
2. The meeting of the Council shall be considered legitimate if at least two-thirds of the members is present, including the chairperson, vice-chairperson and the secretary; absent members shall sent their written evaluation of the sample textbook in a sealed envelope to the appraising unit before the date of the meeting. The representative of the appraising unit must attend all meetings of the Council.
3. The minutes of each meeting of the Council shall have signatures of the participating members and the representative of the appraising unit.
4. During the appraisal process, the Council may request the appraising unit to seek professional opinions of the relevant organizations and individuals if necessary.
Article 16. Procedures for textbook appraisal
1. Within 15 days before the first meeting of the Council, copies of the sample textbook shall be sent to the members of the Council by the textbook appraising unit.
The members of the Council shall study the samples and provide their evaluation in accordance with Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular.
2. The Council shall discuss the content of the sample textbook in accordance with Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular.
3. The members of the Council shall:
a) Evaluate and classify the sample textbook as "satisfactory”, “partially satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” in accordance with Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular;
b) Make general evaluation and classify the sample textbook as "satisfactory”, “Acceptable” or “unsatisfactory”;
- The sample textbook is classified as “Satisfactory" if all the contents prescribed in Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular are classified as "satisfactory”;
- The sample textbook is classified as “partially satisfactory" if all the contents prescribed in Article 5, Article 6, Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular are classified as "satisfactory” or “partially satisfactory”, and the contents specified in Article 4are classified as “satisfactory”;
- The sample textbook is classified as “unsatisfactory” in cases other than those mentioned above.
4. The Council shall classify the sample textbook as:
a) “satisfactory” if the sample textbook is classified as “satisfactory” by at least 3/4 (three-fourths) of the members of the Council;
b) “partially satisfactory” if the sample textbook is classified as “satisfactory” and “partially satisfactory” or only “partially satisfactory” by 3/4 (three-fourths) of the members of the Council;
c) “unsatisfactory” in cases other than those mentioned above.
Chapter V.
APPLICATION, PROCEDURES FOR THE APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL OF TEXTBOOKS
Article 17. Application for textbook appraisal
1. An application for textbook appraisal (hereinafter referred to as “the application”) consists of:
The application form attached).
b) The sample textbook.
c) Descriptions of the sample textbook, including: the name of the textbook, name of the authors, editors, chief editor (if any); purposes , objectives and scope of the textbook; structure, content of the textbook; the progress and result of pilot application and other relevant information (if any).
d) Academic credentials of the authors, editors, chief editor (if any).
2. The application for re-appraisal consists of:
a) The revised sample textbook;
b) The report on consenting or dissenting opinions about the Council’s conclusion.
Article 18. Applicants for textbook appraisal
1. Applicants for textbook appraisal shall be publishers that are legally established and permitted to publish textbooks as stated in their certificates of publisher establishment.
2. Applications for textbook appraisal must be submitted by publishers which meet the requirements specified in Clause 1 of this Article.
Article 19. Appraising units
1. The Primary Education Department and Secondary Education Department shall organize textbook appraisals (hereinafter referred to as “appraising units”.
2. Appraising units shall take charge and cooperate with relevant agencies in assisting the Minister of Education and Training in organizing textbook appraisal by performing the following tasks:
a) Propose the list of members of the Council;
b) Plan budget and prepare facilities for the Council’s operation;
c) Receive and transfer copies of sample textbooks to every member of the Council; receive applications and reports, proposals of the Council and submit them to the Minister of Education and Training;
d) Request the Minister of Education and Training to consider granting approval for textbooks;
dd) Retain sample textbooks, minutes of meetings of the Council and other documents relating to the textbook appraisal and transfer them to the archiving unit of the Ministry of Education and Training in accordance with regulations.
Article 20. Procedures for processing applications for textbook appraisal
1. The textbook appraising unit shall submit the application for textbook appraisal to the Ministry of Education and Training.
2. The Ministry of Education and Training shall receive and examine the validity of the application. In case the application does not meet the requirements prescribed in Article 17 of this Circular, it will be returned to the applicant within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the application.
3. Within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the valid application, the textbook appraising unit shall compile a list of members of the Council and submit it to the Minister of Education and Training for establishment of the Council.
4. The Ministry of Education and Training shall convene the first meeting of the Council. The chairperson of the Council shall manage the activities of the Council in accordance with the regulations of this Circular.
5. The chairperson of the Council shall send the Council’s report on the textbook appraisal to the textbook appraising unit.
6. Depending on the result of appraisal, the textbook appraising unit shall:
a) If the result is “satisfactory”, complete the application, prepare a textbook appraisal report and a draft decision and submit them to the Ministry of Education and Training for approval.
b) If the result is “partially satisfactory”, request the Ministry of Education and Training to send a notice to the applicant requesting supplementation of the application and submit it again to the Ministry of Education and Training for re-appraisal in accordance with Clause 2 Article 17 of this Circular.
c) If the result is “unsatisfactory”, send a notice to the applicant. The textbook developers may re-develop the textbook and submit the application for appraisal from the beginning.
Article 21. Copyright of textbooks and related rights
Issues relevant to copyright of textbooks and related rights shall be handled in accordance with regulations of law.
Article 22. Settlement of complaints, denunciations
The settlement of complaints, denunciations shall comply with current regulations of law on complaints and denunciations.
The application form for textbook appraisal and approval
(Attached to Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BGDDT dated December 22, 2017)
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom - Happiness
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APPLICATION FOR TEXTBOOK APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL
To: Ministry of Education and Training
[Name of the applicant], [address of the workplace/office/legal status]
Requests the Ministry of Education and Training to appraise the following sample textbook(s) for use in [primary/secondary/high school]:
1. Name of the textbook: [name of the textbook, book no. ..., grade ...] [list all the names of the sample textbooks if there are more than one]
2. b) Names of the authors/agency representing the authors/editors/chief editor (if any): [list all the names of the sample textbooks].
3. Educational institution using the textbook: [primary/secondary/high school]
4. The application consists of:
a) ………..
b) ………..
5. Address: ……….
6. Telephone number: ………………….
7. Email: ……….
| REPRESENTATIVE OF THE APPLICANT |
Enclosures:
1. Basic information about the applicant: the certification of establishment, the decision of establishment, textbook development profile.
2. Basic information about the developers:
- As for organizations: the name of the organization, the decision of establishment or the certificate of business registration.
- As for individuals: academic credentials and textbook development tasks
3. Opinions of other organizations and individuals about the textbook (if any).
4. Commitment to comply with current regulations of law on intellectual property rights.
5. Other relevant documents (if any).