'Special salary coefficient for teachers is a worthy treatment, not a favor'

The representative of the Ministry of Education and Training said that having a special coefficient so that teachers' salaries are ranked highest is not a favor but a worthy treatment.

Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training announced a draft Decree regulating salary and allowance policies for teachers to solicit public comments. According to the draft, all teachers are entitled to a "special salary coefficient". In particular, preschool teachers are entitled to a special salary coefficient of 1.25 compared to the current salary coefficient; other teacher positions are entitled to a level of 1.15 compared to the current salary coefficient.

However, in a document sent to the Ministry of Education and Training to comment on the above draft, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the regulation of a special salary coefficient for teachers has no political or legal basis.

Dr. Vu Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Managers (Ministry of Education and Training). Photo: Le Anh Dung

Sharing with VietNamNet on November 14, Mr. Vu Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Managers (Ministry of Education and Training) said that the "special salary coefficient" is a specific policy solution with political and legal basis.

According to him, over the past 29 years, the policy of "teachers' salaries being given the highest priority in the administrative salary scale system" and in addition to salaries, teachers "have additional allowances depending on the nature of work and region" has always been identified as a consistent task and solution in the Party's Resolutions and Conclusions.

Most recently, the Politburo issued Resolution 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education development; which clearly states: "There are special and outstanding preferential policies for teachers".

The representative of the Ministry of Education and Training also affirmed that the regulation of "special salary coefficient" does not disrupt the design of the current salary system.

Mr. Duc said that the regulations on salary are independent from the regulations on allowances. Regarding salary, the National Assembly stipulates that "teachers' salaries are ranked highest in the administrative career salary scale system". "This regulation only relates to the salary scale that teachers are ranked in, not to the types of allowances that teachers are receiving", Mr. Duc said.

However, according to Mr. Duc, teachers' salaries are not currently ranked highest in the administrative career salary scale system, and the majority of teachers' salaries are even ranked lower.

Specifically, 12% of teachers are classified into 3 salary groups: A1, A2.1, A3.1, but almost 100% of civil servants in other sectors and fields (such as health, construction, transportation, justice, culture - sports, science and technology, information and communication...) are classified in these 3 groups.

Of these, only a maximum of 1.17% of senior teachers (grade I) are ranked in the highest salary scale (including A3.1 and A3.2). Other sectors have a maximum of 10% of civil servants ranked in the A3.1 salary scale.

Thus, 88% of teachers are ranked lower in salary than civil servants in other sectors and fields. These teachers can enjoy the highest salary coefficient of 6.78; while civil servants in other sectors can enjoy the highest salary coefficient of 8.0 (about 1.18 times higher). Meanwhile, except for civil servants in the health and science and technology sectors, civil servants in other sectors only require university education in all 3 ranks.

Along with that, 100% of preschool teachers are ranked at the lowest salary in the administrative career salary scale system.

“Looking at the reality of this salary arrangement, we have not seen that the teaching profession is truly a noble profession, honored by society. The professional activities of teachers seem to be 'simpler' than the professional activities of civil servants in other sectors. While in reality, the 'career of cultivating people' requires teachers to be dedicated, love their profession, love their students; have extensive knowledge, pedagogical skills, communication skills, self-study awareness, the ability to continuously update and must build the image of an exemplary teacher...”, Mr. Duc said.

A representative of the Ministry of Education and Training said that placing teachers' salaries at the highest level in the administrative career salary scale system is not a favor but a worthy treatment.

“Paying high salaries is a way to recognize the value of a certain profession. With the special nature of labor, creating products of knowledge and a highly qualified workforce, taking on the role of 'deciding the future of the nation' as Resolution 71 of the Politburo has just issued, having a 'special coefficient' so that teachers' salaries are the highest in the administrative career salary scale is a worthy treatment for the role, position and responsibility of teachers,” said Mr. Duc.

Therefore, Mr. Duc said that the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to perfect the content of regulations to demonstrate the consistency of the Party and State's policies and viewpoints on teachers' salaries.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/he-so-luong-dac-thu-voi-nha-giao-la-dai-ngo-xung-dang-khong-phai-an-hue-2462832.html