New impetus from teacher incentive policies

Double the fun!

Having worked in an office at the Vinh Vocational Training and Continuing Education Center for over 20 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Giang still receives a salary coefficient of 3.66. Before July 1st, 2026, including allowances, her monthly income was less than 10 million VND.

However, from July 2026, when Decree 161/2026/ND-CP on the basic salary level and Decree 182/2026/ND-CP on...allowance systemWith the effective implementation of the professional incentive program, her income increased significantly. She benefited from both the adjustment to the new base salary and, for the first time, the 20% professional incentive allowance for educational support staff. With a salary coefficient of 3.66, the increase due to the base salary adjustment alone was nearly 700,000 VND/month; combined with the incentive allowance of over 1.8 million VND/month, her total additional income increased by approximately 2.5 million VND.

According to Ms. Giang, what excited her and many colleagues was not only the increased amount of money, but also the fact that this was the first time school office staff such as accountants, secretaries, librarians, equipment managers, and school health workers received preferential allowances based on their profession. Adding to this, Ms. Dang Thi Tu Linh, Director of the Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center, stated that including school staff in the list of those receiving preferential allowances based on their profession is a humane and practical policy. In reality, in educational institutions, accountants, secretaries, librarians, equipment managers, and school health workers all play indispensable roles in school operations. Many have to take on multiple positions due to staff shortages, but their income over the years has not been commensurate with their workload. Therefore, the new policy not only contributes to improving their lives but also creates more motivation for this workforce to work with peace of mind and commit to the education sector in the long term.

Meanwhile, after a successful exam season, Mr. Pham Hong Than, a math teacher at Dien Chau 4 High School, continues to receive good news as new policies on salaries and professional incentive allowances have officially been implemented. As a Grade II teacher with a salary coefficient of 4.34, his average income previously was around 14 million VND per month. With the adjustment of the base salary and the application of the new professional incentive allowance regulations, his income is expected to increase by nearly 2 million VND per month.

According to Mr. Than, the most meaningful thing is not only the improved income but also the attention and recognition from the Party and the State towards the teaching staff.

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The new policies give us more motivation to stay committed to our profession. As living standards improve, each teacher becomes more aware of their responsibilities, continuing to strive to improve the quality of teaching, in return for the trust of parents and students, and the supportive policies of the State for the education sector.

Teacher Pham Hong Than

Dedication and long-term commitment

In the 2026 high school graduation exam season, Dien Chau 4 High School made a significant mark by rising to 24th place in the province, an increase of 11 positions compared to the previous year. According to Ms. Cao Thi Nhiep, the school's Vice Principal, this result is the fruit of efforts from many sides, including the dedication and responsibility of the teaching staff: "The teachers at the school always put the students' interests first. Many are willing to provide free tutoring, stay at school until late at night to help students who are weak or want extra review. These actions happen very naturally, stemming from responsibility and love for the profession," Ms. Nhiep shared.

According to Ms. Nhiep, it is precisely because of this dedication and silent contribution that adjusting the salary and preferential allowance system for teachers has special significance: "This is a great source of encouragement for teachers. When their lives improve, teachers will have more resources to invest in their professional development, innovate teaching methods, and dedicate more effort to their students. At the same time, each teacher will be more aware of their responsibilities, continue to strive to improve the quality of education, and meet the expectations of parents and society."

According to educational institutions, a notable new feature of the Decree is the expansion of the scope of those eligible for preferential allowances based on profession. Previously, the policy mainly applied to teachers directly involved in teaching and some educational management staff. Now, educational support personnel such as accountants, clerks, librarians, equipment managers, and school health workers are also eligible for the preferential allowance at a rate of 20% for the first time.

In addition, the Decree also adjusts the preferential allowance rates for various groups of teachers according to different educational levels, types of educational institutions, and working conditions. The allowance rates range from 20% to 80%, higher than the previous regulations for many categories. This adjustment is considered appropriate to the specific characteristics of the profession, contributing to improving income and raising the living standards of the teaching staff.

With many years of experience in teaching and management at educational institutions ranging from well-off to disadvantaged areas, Ms. Tang Thi Thu Hien, Principal of Nghi Phu Secondary School in Vinh Phu Ward, said that when policies were implemented, teachers in the school expressed their enthusiasm because not only did their income improve, but the status and role of teachers were also more clearly affirmed. However, to maximize the effectiveness of the policies, the teachers themselves must continuously improve their skills and qualifications.

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Any policy of compensation comes with responsibility. As living standards improve, each teacher must become more conscious of self-learning, self-improvement, innovating teaching methods, and enhancing the quality of education. This also motivates schools to continue building a professional working environment, developing the capabilities of each teacher, and meeting the requirements of fundamental and comprehensive educational reform.

Ms. Tang Thi Thu Hien

In schools located in mountainous and particularly disadvantaged areas, the new policy is also expected to contribute to solving the problem of teacher shortages and retaining teachers for the long term. According to Mr. Vo Anh Tuan, Principal of Tam Thai Secondary School in Tam Thai commune, the fact that Decree 182/2026/ND-CP stipulates a higher professional incentive allowance for teachers working in ethnic boarding and semi-boarding schools in particularly disadvantaged areas is a great source of encouragement for the teaching staff.

"Currently, schools in the commune are completing the necessary conditions to transition to a multi-level ethnic boarding school model. At that time, teachers will be eligible for preferential allowances according to the new regulations. This is not only an improvement in income but also a meaningful policy in attracting young, capable teachers to work in disadvantaged areas, while also creating motivation for teachers who are already dedicated to the locality to commit to long-term service," Mr. Tuan shared.

Another piece of good news for Nghe An's education sector is that, right at the time when new policies on salaries and preferential allowances are being implemented, nearly 5,000 teachers in the province will also be considered for promotion to higher professional ranks, which means an increase in their salary coefficient. This is considered an important boost, contributing to creating motivation for the teaching staff to feel secure in their profession, continue to improve the quality of teaching and meet the requirements of educational reform.