C ENJOY ONLY ONE OF THE 2 RESPONSIBILITY ALLOWANCE REGIMES
The Ministry of Education and Training is seeking comments on the draft Decree regulating salary policies, allowances, support and attraction policies for teachers.
According to teachers' opinions, in Clause 1, Article 7, the draft guidelines provide for a job responsibility allowance of 0.2 times the base salary applicable to teachers assigned as deputy heads of professional groups or deputy heads of departments according to the provisions of law; teachers directly teaching people with disabilities according to the inclusive education method in educational institutions that are not specialized schools or centers to support the development of inclusive education according to the actual number of teaching hours or teaching periods for people with disabilities.
Applying a level of 0.3 compared to the basic salary level applied to teachers assigned to perform the duties of core teachers from 5 days/month, they will receive responsibility allowance for that month; Teachers assigned to the duties of professional group leader or subject group leader or student management group leader according to the provisions of law.
In the current period of strong digital transformation in education, teachers need to invest more time and effort in lectures than before.
PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH
However, according to the teachers' reflection, also in this draft decree, in Clause 3, Article 7 states: "Professional activities that have had their teaching hours and lecturing hours reduced or converted into teaching hours and lecturing hours are not eligible for job responsibility allowances according to the provisions of this article, unless otherwise provided by law."
Teachers are worried that the two concurrent positions of group leader and deputy group leader of professional subjects may be affected in terms of allowances and teaching hours compared to the current ones. Because according to the draft, when a teacher concurrently holds the position of group leader or deputy group leader of professional subjects, he or she will only receive one of the two benefits. If he or she receives responsibility allowance, the teaching hours will not be reduced as at present.
"According to guidelines that have been implemented for many years, the position allowance for professional group leaders at high schools has a coefficient of 0.25, and for preschool to junior high schools it is 0.2; the deputy professional group leader has a position allowance with a coefficient of 0.15 of the basic salary. In addition, Circular 05/2025/TT-BGDDT stipulates that the working regime for general education teachers, university preparatory teachers, heads of professional groups or heads of subject groups is reduced by 3 periods/week; deputy heads of professional groups or deputy heads of subject groups is reduced by 1 period/week. Thus, heads and deputy heads of professional groups are entitled to job responsibility allowances at the same time as the reduction in teaching hours," said a head of a natural science group teaching at high school level in Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
I WANT TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT POLICY
From the above concerns and worries, teachers hope that when issuing an official decree on salary policy, allowance regime, support and attraction policies for teachers, the Ministry of Education and Training can consider calculating to maintain the current regimes for teachers who are concurrently holding the positions of head and deputy head of professional groups.
The principal of a high school in Saigon Ward (HCMC) pointed out that in reality, teachers assigned to do professional work undertake a lot of work content. The head and deputy head of the professional group fully perform the tasks of teachers as prescribed in the charter of the general school and some tasks of these two positions. For example, planning the professional group, organizing and supervising the professional activities of the group, developing teaching plans, professional training for teachers, advising leaders on improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes of students, participating in professional activities according to the network of members... In the period of implementing the strong digital transformation of education today, teachers assigned to this task also play a very important role in implementing and operating this work in the professional group. Therefore, the principal's proposal that the head and deputy head of the professional group receive a job responsibility allowance at the same time as reducing the teaching hour quota is in accordance with regulations and reasonable.
Teachers are assigned to do professional work and take on a wide range of tasks.
Illustration: Nhat Thinh
Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School (Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), said that the draft regulation causes a paradox. In the context of rapid social development, the job requirements of the intermediary management team have increased sharply, reducing benefits or not increasing salaries proportionately is invisibly going against the general trend of advanced educational management. Instead of recognizing the increased value of work, the draft sets a regulation level lower than the actual needs, creating a feeling of "stepping back" in policy, especially when Vietnam's education is making efforts to innovate for integration.
Mr. Phu commented: "If the program has fundamentally changed but the policy is not consistent with reality, it will reduce the motivation for innovation, especially for positions that are inherently the "backbone" of academic activities in schools."
WORRY ABOUT TEACHERS LOSS OF MOTIVATION, AFFECTING EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION
The principal of a high school in Ben Thanh Ward (HCMC) believes that the head of the professional team is the "extended arm" of the Ministry of Education and Training in implementing digital transformation, updating programs, innovating testing, evaluation, operating software systems and guiding teachers to approach modern teaching models. They are the ones who directly disseminate policies, lead the professional team to approach digital lectures, AI tools, LMS systems, learning data management software, etc. This work not only requires capacity but also personal financial investment to participate in courses, supplement skills, update certificates, and equip professional equipment. Without adequate support, this burden will cause great pressure and be difficult to maintain in the long term.
Therefore, the draft makes many teachers worry. Many teachers believe that when responsibilities increase but benefits do not increase, or even decrease, teachers will choose the safe option: teach the required number of classes, limit taking on concurrent tasks to save time for extra work outside. "A policy that wants to be successful must create internal motivation for the team. Without this motivation, educational reform will find it difficult to go far," the principal affirmed.
A humane, thoughtful and practical policy will be the fuel that fuels teachers to continue their dedication.
Illustration: Nhat Thinh
From the perspective of school management, the consequences are even more serious. It will be very difficult for principals to find people with enough capacity and enthusiasm to take on the positions of head of professional groups, deputy head of professional groups, important links in professional operations. When the human resources are not strong enough, innovation in teaching methods, digital transformation or implementation of integrated learning programs will be directly affected. The risk of falling behind is entirely possible, because in this era, the capacity of the professional group is the competitiveness of the school.
From the above analysis, it can be seen that the construction of a remuneration system for heads and deputy heads of professional groups is not only a matter of salary but also a story of the national education development strategy. A correct policy must create motivation, encourage innovation, and protect the role of those who are shouldering important responsibilities in schools.
Therefore, Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu hopes that the Ministry will listen more to the voices from practice, consider adjusting the allowance coefficient, maintain or even increase the reduction of sections for professional group leaders and deputy group leaders to create a fair, encouraging working environment that is suitable for the requirements of the new education program.
"This is not only a respect for the efforts of the team but also a strategic investment to ensure that Vietnam's education does not fall behind in the journey of global integration. A humane, thoughtful and practical policy will be the fuel that fuels tens of thousands of teachers to continue to contribute, so that each professional group can truly become the "academic heart" of the school, a place to create knowledge, nurture qualities and lead the young generation into the future," said Principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-vien-lo-lang-ve-che-do-phu-cap-trach-nhiem-185251123212613955.htm
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