Increasing the attractiveness of the Teacher Training ngành: The 'touchpoint' is being identified.

GD&TĐ - According to those in the know, attracting talented individuals to the teaching profession requires more than just salary; a positive work environment and clear career progression paths are also essential.

Resolving the "bottleneck"

For decades, the issue of teachers' income has been a thorny problem for the education sector. However, with recent significant adjustments to salary and allowance policies, a new wave is sweeping through teacher training colleges. For a long time, the paradox of "the noblest profession but the lowest income" has caused many talented individuals to leave the teaching profession. The implementation of the new salary policy in accordance with the Law on Teachers has resolved this "bottleneck."

According to Ms. Giang Thanh Thuy, Principal of Trung Van Primary School (Dai Mo, Hanoi ), teachers' salaries are currently the highest in the administrative and public service salary scale. This is accompanied by various professional allowances calculated based on the specifics of the educational level and the work location. For a newly graduated teacher, the starting income has increased compared to before, allowing them to cover the basic living expenses of their family.

Financial stability acts as the first filter. It helps outstanding students avoid the dilemma of choosing between their passion for teaching and economic pressure. Policies supporting tuition and living expenses for teacher training students have created a quality "filter" for admission, attracting excellent students to apply to top teacher training schools. Admission scores for teacher training schools have skyrocketed in recent years.

Based on her teaching experience, Ms. Duong Thi Kieu Anh – a teacher at Dai Tu High School (Thai Nguyen) – said that while salary and allowances are important for teachers, they are not everything. She entered the profession with many ideals – loving her students, enjoying teaching, and wanting to do something meaningful for the development of her locality. However, the reality is that the work pressure is high, and her previous income was limited; sometimes she had to take on extra jobs to make ends meet.

Therefore, when new policies on salaries and allowances are improved, teachers truly see the recognition society has for the teaching profession. Ms. Kieu Anh hopes for a positive working environment, opportunities for free learning and self-improvement, social respect, and a fair evaluation mechanism that encourages creativity and effort. In addition, teachers should be given the opportunity to "nurture" their abilities and love for the profession so that talented individuals voluntarily stay and commit to the profession.

From the perspective of young teacher Le Thi Huyen Anh from Hoang Liet Secondary School (Hoang Liet, Hanoi), the greatest expectation of young teachers is an income sufficient to replenish their energy. They hope their salary will cover basic needs in a large city, from rent to living expenses, without requiring them to take on additional, exhausting work outside their field. A stable salary will give them a solid foundation to focus on improving the quality of their lessons.

“We expect an open school environment where active teaching methods and the application of information technology are encouraged, rather than rigid models. For young teachers, the appeal of the profession lies not only in the salary but also in the opportunity to prove their worth. Fortunately, the place where I work has all these elements, so the flame of passion for the profession burns brightly every day,” Ms. Huyen Anh shared.

Ms. Le Thi Huyen Anh, a teacher at Hoang Liet Secondary School, Hanoi. Photo: Dinh Tue

We need a long-term solution.

Working at An Cuu Primary School (An Cuu, Hue), Ms. Le Thi Phuong Chau feels that the new salary policy has truly brought a very different feeling. For the first time, many young teachers can simply think that they can make a living from their work, instead of constantly worrying about their income.

But if asked whether it's possible to retain talented people, Ms. Phuong Chau believes that relying solely on salary is insufficient. What many young teachers aspire to is not just money, but the opportunity to truly practice their profession, focus on teaching, be creative, and receive recognition for their efforts and genuine abilities.

“Many young people are very dedicated, not afraid of difficulties or pressure. It's just that sometimes they feel tired because of things outside their area of ​​expertise, or feel that their efforts haven't been properly recognized. For me, salary is just a very promising starting point. But to keep talented people for the long term, perhaps the more important thing is to create an environment where teachers truly want to stay because they see this profession as worthwhile,” shared Ms. Le Thi Phuong Chau.

Similarly, Ms. H'Phen Êya – a teacher at Ea T'ling Kindergarten (Cư Jút, Đắk Nông) – expressed her wish that, once the new salary and allowance policies are stable, the starting salary for newly graduated teachers should be increased to ensure a minimum standard of living. She also suggested that performance-based allowances could be added to teachers' income, encouraging them to dedicate themselves fully to their work. She also proposed reducing bureaucratic paperwork so that teachers can focus on teaching and improving their professional skills.

Having dedicated nearly 30 years to the teaching profession, Mr. Nguyen Hai Son – Principal of Hai Xuan Secondary School (Hai Xuan, Ninh Binh) – believes that for new salary policies to truly be effective in retaining talented individuals, there needs to be a synchronized coordination between economic policies and educational governance reforms – these are the key "touch points" that need to be specifically identified.

Teachers must return to their rightful role of inspiring others; the burden of unnecessary paperwork and reports should be reduced so they have time for creativity. High salaries but working in schools lacking modern teaching tools will also stifle teachers' enthusiasm. Teachers need to be protected from extreme pressure from public opinion and parents, creating a legal and psychological "shield" so they can dedicate themselves to their work with peace of mind.

“Young teachers need not only a salary to survive but also a salary to develop. They expect that a new income level will allow them to attend professional development courses, purchase digital equipment to support their teaching, and access global knowledge. For them, an attractive profession is one where they feel they are not falling behind society,” Mr. Nguyen Hai Son analyzed.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tang-suc-hut-nganh-su-pham-diem-cham-duoc-goi-ten-post776776.html