One year ago, Khoai revealed at a workshop that he was presiding over the compilation of a set of textbooks in mathematics for students from first to twelfth grade.

Asked if he shared the same viewpoint that the mathematics curriculum for general school students is overly heavy, Khoai said the problem lies in mathematics exercises. The exercises are too difficult which require tips to solve.

With the current way of learning, students can obtain tips to solve math questions, but they don’t have deep knowledge about the nature of problems to apply them in life.

“Some textbook compilers try to give difficult problems and tips in solving math problems. But I don’t think this is good because the problems are too difficult for students,” he said.

With the current way of learning, students can obtain tips to solve math questions, but they don’t have deep knowledge about the nature of problems to apply them in life.

Commenting about the current mathematics curriculums, Do Duc Thai, Mathematics and Information Technology Dean of the Hanoi University of Education, Chief Editor of the new mathematics curriculum for general education, said they are so difficult that ‘only professors with relatively good qualifications can understand’.

“Since the curriculum is too heavy, mathematics proves is a nightmare for many students,” Thai commented. “They are not happy when learning mathematics."

Wanti g to introduce the learning methods with higher accessibility which help students like to study math, in ‘Ket noi tri thuc voi cuoc song’ (connecting knowledge and real life), Khoai and his co-workers try to compile textbooks in a simple way which comprises the most basic issues.

“Easing the workload on students is what the compilers strive for when writing Ket noi tri thuc voi cuoc song. ‘Easing the workload’ doesn’t mean providing less knowledge to students, but making it easier for students to receive knowledge and understand lessons easily,” Khoai said.

The expert agrees with the view that it is necessary to put the lessons about probability and statistics into the curriculum for primary education.

Asked to whom the textbooks are targeted, Khoai said the textbooks target students in both cities and rural areas. The lessons are designed in a way so that they are understandable to students in mountainous areas as well.

Some people have asked to publicize electronic versions of textbooks for public scrutiny. Commenting about this, Khoai said it would be better if e-textbooks are available because the knowledge can be accessed by more students.

Chi Mai 

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