'Teachers need to be paid a salary that is commensurate with their efforts.'

The Prime Minister requested improvements to the recruitment and remuneration mechanisms so that teachers, especially those in preschools and remote areas, receive salaries commensurate with their efforts.

"Teaching is a noble profession, so what kind of policies are appropriate to reward teachers so they can work with peace of mind, constantly strive, and dedicate themselves to the national education system, especially in remote areas, border regions, and islands?", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked when meeting with representatives of outstanding teachers on the afternoon of November 17 in Hanoi.

The Prime Minister commended teachers who have published many scientific papers and won international awards, such as Ms. Hoang Thi Thai Hoa (Hue University), Mr. Le Anh Tuan (Phenika University), Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam (Hanoi University of Pharmacy)... He also praised teachers who have trained many優秀 students, bringing glory to the nation's education system, such as Mr. Hoang Van Nam (Ha Tinh), Mr. Le Duc Thinh (Hai Phong)...

Government leaders expressed admiration for the teachers who persevered, crossing streams and mountains to bring literacy to remote, border, and island areas. Many teachers sacrificed themselves for their love of students, patiently living and working alongside the local people, going from house to house to encourage students to attend school, such as teacher Lầu Y Pay (Nghe An) and Phạm Thị Hồng (Yen Bai), and teacher Vũ Văn Tùng (Gia Lai).

"The government has always understood, empathized with, and shared the difficulties and hardships of teachers over the years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with outstanding teachers on the afternoon of November 17. Photo: Nhat Bac — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with outstanding teachers on the afternoon of November 17. Photo: *Nhat Bac*

Mr. Chinh shared his concerns about the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which poses a series of challenges to education. How can we ensure that learning goes hand in hand with practice, improve the quality of human resources, increase labor productivity, and enhance the competitiveness of the economy? What solutions are there to provide students with foundational knowledge while also creating conditions for them to develop their talents?

At the meeting, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son stated that teacher development is facing many challenges. Teachers' lives are difficult, especially those in remote areas. The teacher structure is unbalanced between subjects at the same educational level and across regions with different socio-economic conditions.

"The shortage of teachers is occurring in many localities. The teacher allocation quotas for most areas are lower than the actual needs. The recruitment of general education teachers is inadequate and untimely. There is a lack of mechanisms to attract and retain teachers. The salaries of newly recruited teachers are still low," Mr. Son pointed out a series of issues.

The Ministry of Education and Training is surveying the working conditions of general education teachers and policies for teachers and staff in public preschools. Based on these results, the Ministry will propose specific policies to improve the material and spiritual well-being of administrators, teachers, staff, and workers in schools.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son at a meeting with outstanding teachers on the afternoon of November 17. Photo: Nhat Bac — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son at a meeting with outstanding teachers on the afternoon of November 17. Photo: *Nhat Bac*

Nationwide, there are 1.6 million teachers, with a shortage of 10,000. In 2022, the total number of teachers who resigned across the country exceeded 16,000, meaning that on average, one in every 100 teachers left the profession.

From July 1st, kindergarten teachers in grade III remain the lowest-paid group, earning between 3.8 and over 8.8 million VND per month, depending on their rank. This is about 0.6-1.5 million VND higher than before. Primary, secondary, and high school teachers in grade I receive the highest salaries. Those with a salary coefficient of 6.78 will receive over 12.2 million VND per month.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son has repeatedly urged a salary increase for teachers to improve their living standards and reduce the rate of resignations.

During discussions in the National Assembly in early November, Representative Ha Anh Phuong (a teacher at Huong Can High School, Thanh Son district, Phu Tho province) proposed that teachers' salaries be the highest in the administrative and public service salary scale, with additional allowances based on the nature of their work.

Responding to questions from delegates afterwards, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that when reforming salary policies, priority will be given to placing teachers at the highest salary level in the administrative and public service sector salary scale.

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