“A Vision for Educators: Minister Nguyen Kim Son Advocates for a Twofold to Threefold Increase in Teachers’ Salaries, Emphasizing the Need for Careful Calculations”

Preventing the Exploitation of Private Tutoring

On June 9th, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee discussed the amendments and explanations for the Law on Teachers .

As reported by Nguyen Dac Vinh, Chairman of the Culture and Society Committee, there were suggestions to include regulations prohibiting teachers from engaging in private tutoring that violates the law. This includes prohibiting teachers from tutoring their own students and clarifying the restrictions on individuals and organizations regarding the dissemination of information about teachers.

The Committee asserted that the draft law does not prohibit private tutoring, but instead aims to prevent teachers from coercing students into participating in extra classes, thus addressing the rampant issue of excessive tutoring.

Mr. Vinh quoted the Ministry of Education and Training’s regulations on private tutoring, which stipulate that teachers should not tutor their own students.

On this matter, Nguyen Thanh Hai, Chairman of the Committee for Deputy Affairs, emphasized the legitimate need for private tutoring. However, she stressed that it should not be exploited for personal gain.

Ms. Hai shared her concerns about online tutoring, where teachers charge fees despite the absence of face-to-face interactions. She requested clearer regulations, acknowledging the unique nature of private tutoring.

Teacher’s Salary: A Matter of Consideration

Regarding teacher’s salaries and allowances, the inspecting agency clarified that teachers in public educational institutions are civil servants and therefore follow the administrative salary scale.

Mr. Vinh affirmed that granting teachers the highest salary and allowances is a manifestation of the Party’s guidelines. This proposal does not contradict the spirit of Resolution 27-NQ/TW on salary reform.

At the meeting, Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee, emphasized the need to highlight the noble profession of teaching. He mentioned the Party’s ongoing efforts to develop resolutions in the fields of education and healthcare. Mr. Mai stressed the importance of legal frameworks and national policies to attract the best talent into these professions.

Regarding teacher’s salaries, Mr. Mai suggested that instead of aiming for the highest salary bracket, a more feasible approach would be to offer competitive salaries, perhaps double or triple the current rates, to attract the most outstanding individuals.

Vice President of the National Assembly, Tran Quang Phuong, agreed that teachers should be placed in the highest bracket of the administrative salary scale. He also pointed out the existence of various allowances and the potential budgetary constraints if significantly higher salaries were demanded.

In response, Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Kim Son, acknowledged the desire for higher teacher salaries, but emphasized the need for careful consideration regarding the country’s 1.2 million teachers. Even a slight increase would have significant budgetary implications. He suggested that while the ideal salary level is desirable, it must be balanced with fiscal feasibility and implemented with a realistic roadmap.

On the topic of private tutoring, Minister Son explained that the proposed regulations primarily focus on teacher ethics rather than professional conduct. He justified the prohibition of teachers tutoring their own students by highlighting their responsibility to fully educate their students during regular school hours. Allowing teachers to tutor the same students privately could lead to exploitation and a neglect of their public duties.

However, the Minister clarified that teachers are permitted to provide extra classes for struggling students, gifted students, or those preparing for graduation exams. This ensures that teachers fulfill their public duties and address the needs of students requiring additional support.