Create flexibility for teachers when they want to change jobs

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh speaks. Photo: Ho Long

Continuing the 7th Conference of full-time National Assembly deputies, this afternoon, March 25, under the direction of Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh, National Assembly deputies discussed the draft Law on Teachers.

Need for teacher training policy in ethnic minority and mountainous areas

The majority of National Assembly deputies agreed with the Report on explanation, reception and revision of the draft Law on Teachers; stating that the comments have been received, explained and fully reflected in the draft Law. Many opinions stated that the reception and revision of the draft Law reflects the spirit of innovation in legislative work, only regulating contents and policies under the authority of the National Assembly, which have been proven to be stable in practice; the detailed guidance is specified in the draft decrees and circulars attached to the dossier of the draft Law on Teachers.

National Assembly delegates also agreed with the State's policies on building and developing the teaching staff (Article 6); they said that this is extremely important content to encourage the development and attraction of teachers.

Delegate Mai Van Hai (Thanh Hoa) speaks. Photo: Ho Long

However, National Assembly delegate Mai Van Hai (Thanh Hoa) suggested that it is necessary to design separate policies for ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, border areas, and islands with special difficulties. Specifically, not only policies to attract teachers but also policies to train ethnic minority children so that after graduation, they can return to their homeland to teach. Thereby, avoiding the current situation of ethnic minority and mountainous areas lacking many teachers.

Transfer conditions create major barriers for teachers

Regarding the transfer of teachers of public educational institutions (Article 21), the draft Law stipulates that teachers who have worked for 3 years or more in ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, border areas, islands or areas with especially difficult socio-economic conditions will be transferred.

The condition for transfer is the consent of the educational institution where the teacher is working, the consent of the educational management agency and acceptance from the educational institution where the teacher wants to transfer to.

Delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong) speaks. Photo: Lam Hien

National Assembly delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong) said that, in theory, this regulation seems reasonable and adequate, demonstrating the State’s concern for teachers who have contributed to disadvantaged areas. However, the above conditions are creating major barriers, causing difficulties for teachers.

In reality, many teachers face a "dilemma" when requesting a transfer because the educational institution where they are working often does not want to let them go, especially in places that are lacking teachers, while the educational institution in the destination refuses to accept them because they have enough teachers or for other reasons.

Therefore, delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh proposed to amend Clause 3, Article 21 to clearly stipulate that transfer is the right of teachers. Accordingly, additional provisions on the responsibility of the destination educational institution in receiving transferred teachers should be added. This responsibility can be specified by clear and transparent criteria and procedures for receiving teachers; at the same time, there should be a mechanism to monitor and handle cases of refusal to receive teachers without a valid reason.

In addition, it is necessary to clearly define the responsibilities of educational management agencies in coordinating the process of implementing teacher transfers. Educational management agencies need to play an intermediary role in supporting and protecting the rights of teachers, ensuring that the transfer process takes place smoothly and fairly.

Delegate Duong Minh Anh (Hanoi) speaks. Photo: Ho Long

Sharing the same view, National Assembly delegate Duong Minh Anh (Hanoi) said that the provisions in the draft Law are inconsistent with Clause 4, Article 21 as follows: "If a teacher is approved for transfer by the directly managed education management agency, the educational institution from which the teacher transfers shall terminate the contract with the teacher, and the educational institution or agency or unit from which the teacher transfers shall receive the teacher". Thus, in the same article, these two clauses have different provisions on the authority to allow teachers to be transferred.

According to delegate Duong Minh Anh, any agency or unit that is assigned the authority to recruit and use teachers has the authority to transfer teachers. This will ensure consistency between the provisions in the draft Law; create flexibility, and reduce administrative procedures for teachers who wish to transfer jobs.

Concluding the discussion, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh stated that, based on the comments and discussions of the National Assembly deputies, the Ministry of Education and Training closely coordinated with the Committee on Culture and Society and relevant agencies to seriously study and absorb comments to revise and complete the draft Law, have a report explaining and thoroughly absorbing and sending the draft Law dossier for the Government to officially comment before submitting it to the National Assembly.

Comment (0)