Draft Law on Teachers with Proposal to exempt tuition fees from kindergarten to university The issue of giving birth to biological and legally adopted children of working teachers has attracted public attention.

With this proposal, based on the age of teachers and the estimated age of their children, the estimated expenditure is about 9.200 billion VND per year.

Mr. Vu Minh Duc - Director of the Department of Teachers and Cadres education (Ministry of Education and Training) shared that the draft proposal to exempt tuition fees for teachers' children was proposed to build a policy to help teachers have a stable life, work with peace of mind, stick with the industry and attract talented people to become teachers.

“Therefore, when designing the Law, we have planned some contents, including tuition exemption for children of working teachers. With the spirit of openness, the drafting committee always listens to the opinions of the teaching staff, public opinion as well as the authorities. We will continue to improve and research in the coming time to ensure its suitability and feasibility.

Although teachers also have special characteristics in their professional activities, we will pay attention to avoid creating unreasonable policies for teachers compared to civil servants in other professions," said Mr. Duc. 

Mr. Duc also frankly acknowledged and proposed that further calculations should be made to suit actual conditions so as not to create a burden on the state budget.

“We will continue to consider the proposal to exempt tuition fees for teachers' children in the coming time,” he said.

According to him, Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW of the Party Central Committee on fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training continues to affirm that teachers' salaries should be ranked highest in the administrative and career salary scale. 

In addition, with the current design of the Teachers Law, teachers working in public educational institutions are special officials, receiving the highest salary in the industry salary system. Teachers also receive some allowances such as incentives when working in remote areas, allowances for working in island economic areas according to the provisions of law...

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Thanh Nam – Vice Rector of University of Education (Vietnam National University) Ha Noi) believes that this proposal is humane, very new and innovative, consistently demonstrating the spirit of the Party and the State when determining that the teaching force is the most important, fundamental and core factor determining the quality of education and training, and is the valuable asset and capital of the industry to carry out the noble mission of "cultivating people". 

It is also a message of great understanding and encouragement. Goverment, of the industry commander with teachers, recognizing the contributions of the teaching staff, reducing the financial burden on teachers' families and contributing to improving the quality of life, while creating motivation for their continued dedication to contribute. 

However, according to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, this proposal needs further discussion to ensure feasibility and fairness in implementation. It is necessary to redefine the scope of the beneficiaries, whether they are teachers, lecturers or educators in general. 

Article 66 of the 2019 Law on Education stipulates that “Teachers are responsible for teaching and educating in educational institutions. Teachers teaching in preschools, general education institutions, other educational institutions, teaching at elementary and intermediate levels are called teachers; teachers teaching at college level or higher are called lecturers”. 

Thus, the number of related subjects will be very large. The definition itself is not really reasonable and needs to be clearly defined in the Law on Teachers to be issued soon.

“To ensure fairness, we must also consider teachers in both the public and private systems. What policies should be in place for foreign teachers serving in Vietnam’s education system to ensure feasibility?”, Mr. Nam said. 

For teachers serving in the military school system, who already enjoy military benefits, will these additional policies overlap if they are also entitled to them?

“I predict that if this policy is implemented, it will create a lot of debate because many other professions also contribute and serve society and face many difficulties but they do not receive similar support. This may raise questions about whether this policy creates inequality between occupational groups.

Even if the policy is implemented, perhaps some teachers in favorable localities with developed socio-economic conditions may refuse to accept it, wishing to give up benefits to those in more difficult circumstances. How will this be handled? 

For teachers, sometimes giving, doing things that are in line with their values ​​and being recognized and honored by society and the community is the most valuable thing they strive for," Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Nam said.

Nghe An teacher: 'If you want to honor teachers, please don't exempt our children from tuition fees'

Nghe An teacher: 'If you want to honor teachers, please don't exempt our children from tuition fees'

“Exempting tuition fees for teachers’ children can create a mindset that if parents work in a certain industry, their children will be given priority in that field. This will affect the will to strive of the younger generation.”