Is there a difference in the amount of summer vacation teachers have in different places when the maximum 8 weeks is removed?

One of the new points in the draft Law on Teachers just submitted to the National Assembly is the regulation on summer vacation time for teachers .

Accordingly, teachers' annual summer vacation no longer has a "hard" maximum of 8 weeks as in previous versions.

Specifically, Clause 3, Article 18 on teachers' working regime in the new draft states: "The annual summer vacation and other holidays of teachers are arranged appropriately for teachers of each grade level, training level and type ofeducational institution according to Government regulations."

According to many teachers, each level of education has its own characteristics, so the summer vacation schedule should not be the same.

Currently, the draft Law on Teachers is in the process of being revised, but this information has attracted the attention of teachers.

Summer vacation time is flexible but needs reasonable limits

Mr. Le Dinh Hien, teacher at Dong Bac Ga Primary, Secondary and High School ( Thanh Hoa ) said that this adjustment creates flexibility, not rigid regulations but needs reasonable limits.

“Not having a ‘hard’ regulation on the maximum summer vacation time can create conditions for localities and schools to be flexible in building school year plans, especially when each region has different weather conditions, socio-economic characteristics, and student characteristics. However, if there is absolutely no limit, it is easy to lead to a large difference in summer vacation time between teachers in localities, between levels of education, and between groups of teachers in the same system. This not only affects fairness in professional rights but can also cause difficulties in controlling the quality of education,” said Mr. Hien.

According to Mr. Hien, regarding teachers' summer vacation, each level of education has its own characteristics, so the same vacation schedule should not be prescribed.

“In reality, teachers at all levels in the general education system have very different work characteristics and working time allocations. Preschool teachers often still work during the summer to look after children according to the needs of parents, and have little real time off.

Primary school teachers finish the school year earlier, but often have to prepare the curriculum at the beginning of the school year. Secondary and high school teachers finish the school year later because they are stuck with the 10th grade entrance exam or high school graduation exam and have to review for students, and also participate in proctoring and grading exams. With that difference, if a rigid framework is applied to the entire industry, it will not accurately reflect the nature of the work and the practical operations at the grassroots level," said Mr. Hien.

Teachers also believe that a minimum summer vacation period should be set to ensure fairness and benefits for teachers at all levels. Within that framework, localities and schools can proactively and flexibly adjust based on the grade level, local characteristics and specific task plans.

“This not only ensures systematic and unified management, but also demonstrates flexibility and respect for the professional characteristics of teachers. More importantly, it helps maintain fairness among groups of teachers, while still ensuring educational quality, professional progress and political and social tasks during the summer,” said Mr. Hien.

Minimum summer vacation time should be regulated.

Ms. Dang Thi Thuy (a primary school teacher in Binh Duong) is concerned that although the draft Law on Teachers no longer stipulates a maximum of 8 weeks of annual summer vacation, it also does not stipulate a minimum.

Illustration: Thanh Hung

“Such open time can be beneficial when teachers have more than 8 weeks off, but it can also be a disadvantage when the minimum time is not specific. Depending on each school and each locality, if the work arrangement is flexible, teachers can benefit or vice versa. In fact, during the summer break, teachers often have to go to school to work on summer duty, train, regularly improve, clean and decorate classrooms, etc. If there is a minimum time regulation, teachers can be given compensatory time off if it is not enough,” Ms. Thuy said.

According to her, if the vacation time is not specifically regulated, teachers on summer vacation must always be ready to work if summoned, and cannot take an absolute vacation. Therefore, if teachers want to travel or go to their hometowns during the summer, they must still apply for leave.

Sharing the same opinion, teacher Le Thi Thanh (Nghe An province) said that the regulation is open but needs a minimum time to ensure the rights of teachers.

“At that time, even though they can be on duty during the summer, teachers will be given rotational days off, ensuring at least the minimum amount of time. But in reality, even during the summer break, teachers still have to go to school to do many unnamed jobs,” Ms. Thanh said.

Some teachers think that there should be specific regulations on summer vacation time according to the characteristics of each grade level.

A teacher stated: “Just specify the summer vacation time for each level of education for easy implementation. Schools at each level start at the same time, the basic curriculum is the same, so the vacation time is also corresponding.”

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thoi-gian-nghi-he-cua-giao-vien-chenh-lech-khi-bo-quy-dinh-toi-da-8-tuan-2400077.html