Education and training is not only the top national policy but also determines the future of the nation, in which teachers are the center of that national policy.
TEACHERS TAKE ON MANY NEW FUNCTIONS
The Law on Teachers for the first time clearly establishes the legal status, rights and professional responsibilities, contributing to repositioning the role of teachers in the education system. Teachers are no longer simply knowledge transmitters but are central factors, leading digital transformation, innovating methods and creating a humane and modern learning environment.
Teachers deserve to be treated fairly, respected and empowered to stand firm in their profession.
PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH
In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and artificial intelligence (AI), teachers must take on many new functions: learning activity designers, critical thinking leaders, learning data analysts, and psychological support, skills education, and career orientation for students. According to General Secretary To Lam, teachers are also scientists. Resolution No. 71 of the Politburo also emphasizes "enhancing the status, role, income, and ensuring working conditions for teachers" - a prerequisite to ensure the quality of education in the new period.
These demands require teachers to continuously learn to adapt and innovate. A modern teacher is a subject matter expert, a technology pedagogue, a school psychologist, a classroom manager, and an inspiration who accompanies students in creating the future. This is not only an expansion of duties, but also a testament to the need for a new status for the teaching profession, commensurate with the responsibilities they shoulder in the digital age.
TEACHERS' SALARY NEEDS TO BE PROPORTIONAL
The quality of education depends directly on the quality of teachers. Many countries consider ensuring adequate income as a strategic investment. South Korea, Japan and Singapore pay teachers equal or higher than other professions of similar level to attract and retain high-quality human resources.
In Vietnam, although teachers' income has improved, it is still not commensurate with the intensity of work and professional responsibilities. Preschool, primary and disadvantaged teachers are the most disadvantaged. They work overtime, bear the pressure of assessing students, managing records, coordinating with parents and must continuously study and improve to meet the requirements of innovation.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, only about 12% of teachers are classified into the three high salary groups A1, A2.1, A3.1, while almost all civil servants in other sectors are in the equivalent group. This is a long-standing problem, reflecting that the teaching profession has not been treated appropriately according to the position set by the Party and the State.
The Law on Teachers and Resolution 71 of the Politburo affirm that putting teachers' salaries in the highest group in the administrative and career sector is an urgent requirement.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
The difference is also evident in the salary coefficient ceiling: teachers have a maximum of 6.78, while many other civil servants can reach 8.00. This makes it difficult for teachers to reach the highest salary level despite the increasing workload, professional requirements and occupational pressure.
To overcome this situation, the Ministry of Education and Training proposed a "special salary coefficient": 1.25 for preschool teachers, 1.15 for general teachers. If approved, the highest salary could approach 19 million VND/month, excluding allowances, in line with the spirit of Resolution 71.
The Law on Teachers and Resolution 71 also affirm that placing teachers' salaries in the highest group in the administrative sector is an urgent requirement. A decent income not only attracts talented people and limits them from leaving the profession, but also motivates teachers to wholeheartedly innovate and improve the quality of national human resources.
N POSITIVE SIGNALS FROM NEW POLICIES
Along with salary reform, new policies of the Party, the State and the Ministry of Education and Training open up hope for the teaching staff. Adjusting professional standards in a practical direction helps reduce formality and increase professional value. Digital transformation in education management significantly reduces the burden of documents, paving the way for teachers to spend time on teaching and research.
Many localities implement specific allowances based on regions, lack of subjects, housing and transportation support for teachers in remote areas. This is a solution to retain teachers, especially in areas with a shortage of teaching staff.
In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and AI, teachers must take on many new functions.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
The policy of enhancing professional autonomy through open education programs also creates positive changes. When teachers have the autonomy to design lessons suitable for students, they have the opportunity to develop their creativity and develop their careers. Expanding learning and training opportunities through digital platforms helps access new knowledge conveniently, save time, and improve teaching quality according to international standards.
FROM POLICY TO REAL RESPECT
Improving the status of teachers is a comprehensive task. Salaries are the key factor, but we cannot rely on salary increases alone to change the status. Society needs to change the way we perceive, assign tasks and evaluate teachers.
At the scientific seminar "Saigon Pedagogical University before 1975" organized by Ho Chi Minh City University of Education in October 2023, Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Loc, senior lecturer of Saigon University and former student of Saigon Pedagogical University from 1972-1975, shared that pedagogical students are not only the pride of themselves but also of their families and clans. This pride comes from three important factors: first, only excellent candidates are admitted to the school, with a passing rate of about 10-15% of the total number of candidates; second, after graduation, students are immediately appointed to the title of "secondary school professor"; and third, teachers enjoyed the highest salary at that time, with an index of 470, while other industries had an index of 430. These three factors created a strong attraction, attracting talented people to pedagogy and contributing to affirming the noble position of the teaching profession in society.
Therefore, reducing unnecessary pressure is the first step. Teachers cannot shoulder the entire responsibility of education when family and society are not on board. Parents need to understand the limits of teachers, avoid setting unrealistic expectations, and work with teachers in educating their children. The working environment must respect expertise, transparently evaluate, clearly promote, and practically honor talented people.
A civilized society knows how to protect teachers, giving them autonomy, trust and high income conditions to develop their capacity. When teachers feel truly respected, their professional status is consolidated sustainably, contributing directly to the quality of education and social development.
Enhancing the role, status and life of teachers is not only the responsibility of the education sector but also the duty of the whole society. Teachers determine the quality of human resources - the foundation of all national development strategies.
A strong Vietnamese education system, one that is in the top 20 in the world by 2045 as set out in Resolution 71 of the Politburo, will become a reality when teachers are protected in terms of policy, respected in their profession and empowered with real expertise. Then, they will be able to fully focus on creativity, innovation in methods and leading students in a constantly changing world.
If income, benefits and working conditions do not improve, teachers will continue to leave the profession, the quality of education will decline and the goal of reform will be far away. Investing in teachers is investing in the future. A country cannot be strong if teachers are weak; it cannot prosper if those who sow the seeds of knowledge are lacking. Teachers deserve to be treated fairly, respected and empowered to stand firm in their profession - the foundation of quality education, civilized society and sustainable national development.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-the-moi-cho-nha-giao-185251119231833976.htm
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