Recommend textbooks as special, subsidized goods as soon as possible

Recommend giving textbook into price stabilization products

The issue of textbook prices was once again raised by the National Assembly deputies in the session question on the financial sector on the morning of June 8.

Delegate Dinh Thi Ngoc Dung (Hai Duong) asked Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phuc to clarify solutions to solve the problem of textbook prices, which the people of the country are very concerned about during this time. past time.

Meanwhile, delegate Chau Quynh Dao (Kien Giang) stated that, more than 2 years ago, the Ministry of Finance was required to review and evaluate the overall situation of the implementation of the Law on Prices to submit to the competent authorities. considering adding textbooks to the list of state valuations, but so far the ministry has not completed it.

Delegate Chau Quynh Dao (Kien Giang)

Delegates asked the Finance Minister to clarify the reasons and responsibilities of the Ministry in this matter.

In response to questions from delegates, Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phuc affirmed that textbooks are not goods priced by the state, but are on the list of price declarations, so the pricing right belongs to publishers.

“Buyers will choose the best quality and cheapest places on the basis of transparency and public listing. The state only appraises prices for books or products that are purchased with the bank. State book” – emphasized Mr. Phuc

Regarding the inclusion of textbooks in price stabilization products, Minister Ho Duc Phuc said that this is the decision-making authority of the National Assembly. Government agencies are responsible for advising and submitting.

The Law on Prices is also in the process of being revised and through research, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education agreed to report to the Prime Minister to propose the inclusion of textbooks in the Law on Price which will be revised in the near future, but the decision is still up to the Government. Congress.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phuc (Photo: VNA)

Need to subsidize textbooks for disadvantaged students as soon as possible

Debating speech, delegate Chau Quynh Dao stated: Why has the Ministry of Finance not responded in the past 2 years, despite many recommendations on adding textbooks to the list of state valuations?

“Why is it difficult when the National Assembly deputies propose this issue? When will the price of textbooks ensure the harmonization of interests between businesses, the State and parents?” – delegate Chau Quynh Dao asked a question.

Responding to questions from delegates, Minister Ho Duc Phuc said that the Minister had not received any documents related to this issue.

Minister Ho Duc Phuc said that only when textbooks are added to the list in the Law on Prices will we have a basis for implementation. Currently, the Minister said that we can only lobby to reduce costs so that the price of textbooks can be lowered. If it is included in the stabilization area for the state to approve prices, it must be included in the Law on Prices.

Continuing to debate this issue, delegate Nguyen Anh Tri (Hanoi) expressed surprise when he heard Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phuc talk about the appraisal of prices applied to goods only purchased by bank. state books.

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri (Hanoi) (Photo: VNA)

“Money from the people, especially from the poor, families with children going to school are also very precious. As delegate Quynh Dao shared, this is a long-standing story. I earnestly request the National Assembly to release textbooks soon. It is a special commodity that must be appraised and subsidized textbooks for students in disadvantaged areas as soon as possible,” emphasized delegate Nguyen Anh Tri.

Besides, the Law on Price needs to be revised in the best way, to serve the people and families with children going to school.

There is a situation of selling textbooks with reference books and exercise books

Also at the question-and-answer session, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son further explained about the coordination in managing textbook shelves.

Noting that this is an issue that concerns every home, Minister Nguyen Kim Son emphasized that in the shortest time, he will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to submit to the National Assembly for a long-term stable solution on textbook prices.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son (Photo: VNA)

“The ministry is also actively compiling a new Circular on book specifications and standards to be more suitable to the current situation. This will also affect the price of books. Regarding the requirement for businesses to reduce costs, the middle stages are We have also done and are doing with the Education Bookstore – an enterprise run by the Ministry as the governing body. That’s a bit more difficult,” said the head of the education sector.

In addition to textbooks, Minister Nguyen Kim Son mentioned the situation of selling reference books and exercise books. The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a Circular regulating the management of reference publications in education, which prohibits principals or teachers from forcing or suggesting parents to buy books that are not on the list.

The Minister suggested that localities control this in schools in the area, to avoid causing anger in public opinion.

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