Undaunted by difficulties, teachers stick with the profession

Low salary

After nearly 20 years in the profession, Ms. Luu Thi Mi (born in 1983), a teacher at Ngoc Son Kindergarten (Hai Duong City) has experienced many hardships.

Starting her career in 2005, her salary was only about 300,000 VND/month, until 2011, her salary was no more than 1.5 million VND/month. In 2011, Ms. Mi started a family but her marriage was not complete. She was only allowed to join the payroll in 2014, but the burden of the family weighed heavily on her shoulders, she raised 2 children alone. When she built her house, she only had 10 million VND. With the support of her colleagues and family members, she was able to build a level 4 house made of three-piece bricks.

Ms. Mi said that during the period from 2014 to 2020, her salary was around 2-6 million VND/month. Meanwhile, she had to pay off her debt to build a house, raise her children, and go to college at the same time, which was very expensive. Every month, she had to "make do", borrowing this month and paying back the next month to have money to cover her living expenses. She had to sell more goods and learn massage and acupressure to earn more income.

Up to now, the house construction debt has been paid off, her salary is about 9 million VND/month, but her children are at the age of expensive schooling, so she still has to make ends meet. Despite the difficulties, Ms. Mi always loves her job, is optimistic, and overcomes all difficulties to go to school every day to take care of and raise the children.

“The salary is not enough to live on, but I have never thought of quitting my job. Life is harder when I have to work extra, but I still feel happy. If we love each other, we can climb any mountain,” said Ms. Mi.

Pay in rice

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh (born in 1970) at Dong Lac Kindergarten (Nam Sach) started her career in 1989.

“Leaving early in the morning, returning late at night. Barefoot in the house, slippers on the street, Husband sometimes angry, sometimes loving. Children are sometimes weak, sometimes stubborn - strange. My salary is not enough to eat. So I work in the fields like everyone else!...”. This is the poem she read to talk about the profession of a preschool teacher.

Ms. Hanh said that during the period 1989-2000, teachers like her received their salary in rice. They worked at school during the day and went back to work in the fields at night. This period was very difficult, many teachers quit their jobs. Remembering the scene of holding scales to each house to collect each kilo of rice, Ms. Hanh did not think she could stick with the job until now.

The most difficult period was 2005-2008, when she received a salary of just over 1.6 million VND/month. The income of both husband and wife was not enough to cover expenses, while both children were in high school and university. In 2014, Ms. Hanh joined the payroll, her salary was still very low, only about 2.5-3 million VND. It was not until 2020 that her salary increased to about 6 million VND. Currently, her income is much better, over 10 million VND, but by the time she receives the higher salary, she will only have more than 1 year left before she retires.

Ms. Mi and Ms. Hanh are just 2 of many other teachers who have gone through many difficulties and hardships but still love and stick with the profession until now. Ms. Hanh said that many contract teachers have it even harder. Their work is even harder than that of permanent teachers but their salary is only about 4-5 million VND/month.

Another group that is also facing difficulties are contract teachers, young teachers or teachers who have just graduated. Especially contract teachers, who not only have unstable income but also have to struggle to pay monthly insurance premiums.

A young teacher in the first 5 years, the salary is only about 5-6 million VND/month. With this salary, many teachers struggle and cannot make a living. Some young teachers who have just started their career in Kinh Mon town said that from July 1, 2024, the basic salary has increased significantly, but with the price of goods skyrocketing, they still have to squeeze out their expenses.

Not only facing economic and family difficulties, worrying about “bread and butter”, many teachers are also under pressure from their professional work of teaching and competing at school. Teachers are also facing great pressure from “special” students, parents and public opinion… However, they still prepare lessons every day and attend class regularly.

Mr. Vu Ba Ha, Chairman of the Hai Duong Education Trade Union, said that it is undeniable that a number of teachers are still facing difficulties, especially young teachers and preschool teachers. The education sector has also had to face a wave of teachers quitting their jobs. When their lives are guaranteed, teachers can feel secure in their work instead of "worrying about teaching extra classes and struggling to make a living". Therefore, special attention should be paid to the issue of teachers' salaries and allowances.

In recent years, teachers' salaries and incomes have improved significantly thanks to incentives and timely decisions of the province. These include continuous recruitment of teachers, organization of professional title promotion; support of 1 million VND/month for preschool teachers, 700,000 VND/month for low-income teachers. From July 1, 2024, the basic salary has increased significantly.

Information in the draft Law on Teachers has focused on breakthrough policies for teachers such as salary, allowances, preferential treatment... making most teachers happy and looking forward to it, including Ms. Mi.