What does the Ministry of Education and Training say about the proposal to exempt tuition fees for teachers' children?

The Ministry of Education and Training proposed exempting tuition fees for teachers' children because it wanted to recognize and honor them, but many teachers did not want this. Many people said that teachers were too demanding, causing teachers to be hurt - Photo: VINH HA

Mr. Vu Minh Duc said that in the process of drafting the Law on Teachers, the drafting committee based on the common wishes of teachers about having preferential policies for teachers' children, specifically exempting tuition fees at all levels.

The drafting committee's view when including this content in the draft law is also to show respect and recognition of teachers' contributions, contributing to encouraging teachers to feel secure and committed to the profession.

In fact, in some other specific industries, there are also preferential policies. For example, insurance policies or medical treatment for relatives of people working in the armed forces. Teaching is also a specific profession to propose priorities and incentives for their relatives.

* But this proposal is facing mixed opinions. What do you think about these opinions?

- The proposal is in the draft and the Ministry of Education and Training is still listening to the opinions of National Assembly delegates, ministries, branches, the people and the teachers themselves. However, I still reaffirm that the proposal to exempt tuition fees for teachers' children comes from the perspective of honoring and recognizing , not as a support policy because they are facing difficulties.

* There are opinions from National Assembly delegates that the proposal of the agency drafting the Law on Teachers may be judged by public opinion as bringing "group interests" to their own sector. Because besides this, teachers are ranked highest in the administrative career salary scale. In reality, there are a group of teachers with higher incomes than civil servants in other sectors. Society has many vulnerable groups that need more support. What do you think about this opinion?

- According to our survey, after applying the basic salary increase, the highest income of teachers, including salary and allowances, can be up to 30 million VND/month, but not many people enjoy this level.

A large number of teachers are receiving very low incomes, from 6.8 to less than 10 million VND/month. Even if teachers' salaries are the highest in the administrative and career salary scale, it is not certain that teachers can live on their income from the profession.

While the nature of the teaching profession is high pressure, the working hours are stressful. Those with high incomes are due to the addition of allowances according to the subjects and difficult regions. But they have to work in harsh environments, even lurking dangers. The deprivation and mental losses are huge.

Understanding that, in the process of building the law, we only hope that policies for teachers can partly encourage and motivate them to stick with the profession.

If we call it an “interest group”, then that “group” is more than 1.6 million teachers nationwide. They are involved in the education of nearly 24 million students, involving all families.

Education is the root, if we want quality education and development, we must take care of the teaching staff.

* So, given the disagreement, do you think the drafting committee's proposal on tuition exemption is feasible?

- In principle, we will only include mature content with high consensus in the final draft law to be submitted to the National Assembly. Currently, we are continuing to collect and analyze comments and evaluate the technical impact of this proposal.

In addition, the proposal must also consider the accompanying conditions, specifically the budget source to meet them.

The proposal will also be considered on the basis of harmonious balance with other fields and industries.

An additional VND9,212 billion will be paid if the proposal is applied.

The draft Law on Teachers, recently submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee for discussion, proposes tuition exemption for biological and legally adopted children of teachers working in the education sector from preschool to university level.

Based on the age of the teacher and the estimated age of the child, the Government said that every year the state budget will have to pay an additional 9,212 billion VND.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/de-xuat-mien-hoc-phi-cho-con-nha-giao-bo-gd-dt-noi-gi-20241011134829888.htm