The case of Dak Lak teachers' 'debt' for extra teaching hours: The number has exceeded 35 billion VND

Regarding the case of thousands of unpaid extra teaching hours of teachers in Dak Lak, according to the latest statistics of the Department of Education and Training of this province, by the afternoon of October 29, 61/102 communes and wards had sent reports.

Of which, 23 communes and wards confirmed that they have not paid teachers enough for extra teaching hours, with a total cost of more than 35 billion VND.

The Department of Education and Training is urging the remaining localities to urgently send reports to have a basis for synthesizing and advising the Provincial People's Committee to direct a final resolution, ensuring the rights of teachers.

Headquarters of Dak Lak Department of Education and Training.

Previously, the Dak Lak Department of Education and Training said that after receiving feedback from the press and instructions from the Provincial People's Committee, the unit issued an official dispatch requesting localities and educational institutions to report in detail the situation of paying teachers for extra teaching hours.

Through initial review, schools under the Dak Lak Department of Education and Training such as high schools and vocational education and continuing education centers do not incur debt for extra teaching hours.

Late payment mainly occurs in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools directly managed by the People's Committees of communes and wards.

For example, in Buon Ma Thuot ward, Nguyen Duc Canh Primary School owes more than 6,500 extra teaching periods, equivalent to nearly 1.2 billion VND; Vo Thi Sau Primary School owes nearly 3,000 periods, equivalent to 582 million VND. The schools said they have made many requests, but have not yet received funding to pay.

According to Decree 60/2021 and Decree 111/2025 of the Government , the cost of paying for extra teaching hours is arranged in the annual regular expenditure estimates of each unit. Schools must proactively balance within the allocated budget to ensure proper payment and protect teachers' rights. However, many schools have not yet paid this expense to teachers.

Faced with that situation, on October 10, the People's Committee of Dak Lak province issued an official dispatch requesting the Department of Education and Training to report and urgently handle three "hot" issues of the education sector. Among them is the "owed" money for extra teaching hours of teachers.

The Provincial People's Committee leaders requested the Department of Education and Training to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to inspect and handle immediately, ensuring legitimate rights for the teaching staff.