Legitimate rights of teachers

Teachers who have accumulated the required length of service and achievements should be promoted to a higher professional rank, but instead they have to file complaints, or even "seek help," to ensure that the competent authorities fulfill the rights they are rightfully entitled to.

As a long-time education reporter, what I've noticed most about people working in education, especially classroom teachers, is that most of them just want to quietly do their job. They're willing to compromise a little rather than complain or grumble.

However, there are injustices and absurdities so severe that they have to file collective complaints. Their legitimate rights, such as professional career advancements, are seriously affected, with violations occurring regardless of regulations, leaving them unable to remain silent.

The collective of high school teachers in the former Phu Tho province is a prime example. For 10 years, there hasn't been a single promotion to a higher professional rank for teachers, while other educational levels have regularly implemented such promotions. During those 10 years, some who dedicated their entire lives to this noble profession have retired or are about to retire, yet still only receive the lowest rank (rank 3) and salary despite having all the necessary achievements and eligibility for promotion. There are teachers who have spent many years nurturing gifted students at various levels, bringing many achievements to the education sector… yet they still wait anxiously. There are many other concerns and difficult circumstances as well.

When explaining the situation to the press, the leaders of the Phu Tho Department of Education and Training cited a series of objective difficulties without mentioning any subjective fault or responsibility on the part of the local management agency. This explanation only further angered and frustrated the teachers. Their legitimate rights, which significantly impact their salaries, were ignored due to a multitude of unconvincing "difficulties."

The legal framework from relevant ministries and agencies has been complete since 2015, and many localities have implemented it, and done so very well. So why are some provinces finding it so difficult?

Even in Hanoi , despite not having been "neglected" for decades, every time there's an exam or promotion review, teachers are still discouraged by obstacles like "the king's law is overridden by local customs." These regulations aren't in official decrees or circulars, but they are found in guidance documents from various schools or departments.

Many teachers feel secure because, according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Interior, they meet, or even exceed, the requirements. However, during the school-level review process, they are found to be lacking in some seemingly impossible criteria, such as: not being a management staff member, not having won awards in competitions they are unaware of… Not to mention the fact that the review process is often based on personal biases and the likes and dislikes of those in power.

Meanwhile, schools and education departments blame the Ministry's regulations, which, although seemingly not strict, impose quotas and ratios for each teacher rank, leading to a situation where even qualified teachers are not promoted; institutions have to set conditions beyond the regulations to ensure that the number of promoted teachers does not exceed the set quota.

Blaming others endlessly, only those dedicated educators who tirelessly strive for recognition one day feel utterly exhausted and discouraged. They say they don't need special treatment or preferential treatment; they simply want to enjoy their legitimate and fair rights in the professional title promotion process, instead of having to submit applications or even appeals as they have done for so long.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quyen-loi-chinh-dang-cua-nha-giao-185260422214916411.htm