Expected adjustment of allowances for teachers - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

It is expected that the preferential allowance regime by profession will be adjusted in the direction of expanding to apply to all civil servants and employees (including interns, probationers, and contract workers) at public educational institutions in the national education system; and for the first time, school staff will receive additional allowances.

One of the biggest bottlenecks is the income level of preschool teachers.

The Ministry of Education and Training has just announced a draft Decree regulating preferential allowances according to profession for civil servants and employees in public educational institutions to solicit comments.

Overcoming shortcomings from old regulations

After 20 years of implementation, Decision No. 244/2005/QD-TTg and Joint Circular No. 01/2006/TTLT-BGDĐT-BNV-BTC have contributed to increasing teachers' income, ensuring conditions for them to fully perform their roles and responsibilities. However, these regulations also revealed many shortcomings, especially regarding the preferential allowances according to the profession, which are not fair and not commensurate with the workload.

One of the biggest bottlenecks is the income of preschool teachers. Despite taking care of young children for a long time (9-10 hours/day), with a starting salary coefficient of 2.10 and a 35% allowance, their income is only about 6.63 million VND/month - the lowest level compared to other levels of education. This has led to a high rate of resignation: From August 2023 to April 2024, up to 1,600 preschool teachers quit their jobs, accounting for 22% of the total number of teachers quitting nationwide.

In addition, the allowance system for teachers of preparatory schools also faces many shortcomings. Although the level of work is similar to that of teachers of ethnic boarding schools (both have to manage and take care of boarding students), the preferential allowance according to the profession is only 50% - lower than the 70% of teachers of ethnic boarding schools.

Along with that, the application of allowance levels is not consistent between localities, causing great inconvenience. For example, teachers in the same city area are paid 35% in some places, and 50% in others. In particular, changes in administrative units (separation, merger of communes) are not updated promptly, leading to allowance payments that are not consistent with the actual situation.

School staff also face difficulties because they do not receive preferential allowances according to their profession. Most of these positions apply to the lowest salary scale of civil servants, and there is no opportunity for promotion due to the low mobility of the position. This makes it difficult for manyeducational institutions to recruit full-time staff.

The most notable point is the expansion of the scope of application to all officials and employees in public educational institutions, including interns, probationers, and contract workers.

Increase allowances for preschool teachers and university preparatory school teachers

The new draft Decree is built on the basis of inheriting previous appropriate regulations, while adjusting and supplementing many important contents. Most notably, it expands the scope of application to all civil servants and employees in public educational institutions, including interns, probationers, and contract workers.

The preferential allowance level will also be adjusted to be more fair and appropriate. Specifically, preschool teachers will have their allowance increased from 35% to 45% in favorable areas and to 80% in difficult areas. Teachers at preparatory schools will also have their allowance increased from 50% to 70%, equal to that of teachers at ethnic boarding schools.

School staff also received their first-ever supplemental allowance, with 15% for support positions, 20% for shared professional titles, and 25% for specialized titles.

Towards fairness and efficiency

The draft Decree not only addresses current shortcomings but also demonstrates the Party and State’s concern for teachers. If approved, the new Decree will create a clear and consistent legal framework, contributing to retaining human resources and promoting sustainable development of the education sector.

The adjustment of the preferential allowance regime according to the profession is not only to increase income but also to be a worthy recognition for the silent contributions of teachers. This is a necessary step to ensure the legitimate rights of those who directly work in education in difficult, remote and isolated areas, while at the same time encouraging dedication to the profession.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/du-kien-dieu-chinh-phu-cap-cho-giao-vien-5047046.html