Recently, many teachers in Son La reported to Lao Dong Newspaper about the sudden cut in allowances for group leaders and deputy group leaders. Notably, in the same province, some districts were paid this allowance, while other districts were not.
According to a reporter's survey, the payment of allowances in Son La province is uneven. Some districts such as Quynh Nhai and Sop Cop are still making payments, but other districts such as Bac Yen and Moc Chau have stopped since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.
According to teachers, the allowance for group leaders is calculated at a coefficient of 0.20 and for deputy group leaders at a coefficient of 0.15. With the basic salary increased from July 1, 2024, each month, group leaders and deputy group leaders will receive an additional allowance of nearly 1 million VND.
On November 22, speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tinh - Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs of Son La province said that Son La province has decided not to pay allowances for group leaders and deputy group leaders from the 2024-2025 school year. This decision was implemented according to the directive of the Provincial People's Committee, applied to all schools across the province, in accordance with Circular 20 of the Ministry of Education and Training on job positions, staff structure and quotas for the number of people working in public educational institutions. Regarding the inconsistency between districts, the leader of the Department of Home Affairs affirmed that it would review it.
Mr. Nguyen Huy Hoang - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Son La province - shared his opinion: "If a normal teacher only receives a regular salary and allowances, then teachers assigned to the position of group leader and deputy group leader must be recognized for their contributions through appropriate allowances. However, this is currently a contradiction between circulars. Circular 20 of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that group leaders and deputy group leaders of professional groups are not management positions but only professional positions, while the old Circular 33 stipulates the payment of allowances for management positions."
Previously, Lao Dong Newspaper published an article: "A mountainous province suddenly abolishes the allowance for group leaders and deputy group leaders for teachers", reflecting the fact that the Department of Education and Training of Son La province sent a document requesting that its affiliated educational institutions not pay allowances for group leaders and deputy group leaders of professional groups. Immediately after that, the Department of Teachers and Educational Managers (Ministry of Education and Training) sent a document requesting that Son La province continue to pay allowances for group leaders and deputy group leaders to teachers.
The document clearly states: “Professional groups and office groups in public preschool and general education institutions do not belong to other constituent organizations according to the criteria specified in Point d, Clause 1, Article 6 of Decree 120/2020/ND-CP. However, to support the principal in implementing professional activities, the principal will establish professional groups and office groups.”
In addition, these groups do not perform administrative management but carry out professional activities according to the provisions of the School Charter. The group leader and deputy group leader are appointed by the principal and are under direct management.
The payment of allowances for team leaders and deputy team leaders of professional teams and equivalents must comply with Circular 33/2005/TT-BGDDT dated December 8, 2005. The document emphasizes that the People's Committee of Son La province must continue to pay this allowance until there are new instructions on salary regime. However, after this document, Son La province has not yet paid the regime for team leaders and deputy team leaders.
Explaining the reason, the Department of Home Affairs of Son La province said that it was not eligible to pay because the document of the Department of Teachers and Educational Managers (Ministry of Education and Training) was an administrative document, while Circular 20 was issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Also according to the leader of the Department of Home Affairs of Son La province, on August 11, 2024, the People's Committee of this province sent a document to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ask for opinions on the implementation of policies for team leaders, deputy team leaders and equivalent positions in public service units in the field of education and training, but so far has not received any response.
