Overtime fee lower than regulated
Teacher Nguyen Thi Duyen (character name has been changed) - a teacher at a secondary school in Dien Chau commune, Nghe An province - said that for many years, teaching fees exceeding the norms for teachers at the school have been paid at a common level, not based on the salary of each person.
Last school year, the school paid 50,000 VND/overtime class. While I calculated myself according to the formula of Circular 21, my amount should be about 150,000 VND/class" - Ms. Duyen said.
According to the female teacher, the 50,000 VND level is applied generally to all teachers, although the salary coefficient and allowances of each person are different.
The Circular stipulates the calculation method based on salary, meaning that each teacher will have a different level. But the school pays a flat 50,000 VND/time" - Ms. Duyen reflected.
When teachers questioned, the school explained that there was not enough funding to pay at a higher level. Even though their rights were not guaranteed, teachers did not want to react too harshly.
Teachers still depend on evaluation, classification, and professional assignment, so many people are hesitant to speak frankly. We just hope that the regime has regulations and is implemented correctly" - Ms. Duyen shared.
Ms. Duyen's reflection is not an isolated case. Through the investigation of Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, in some schools in Nghe An, tuition fees exceeding norms, tutoring for excellent students, tutoring for weak students or grade 9 exam preparation are currently only paid about 40,000-80,000 VND/session. Some schools pay about 100,000-150,000 VND for a 3-session session.
Meanwhile, Circular No. 21/2025/TT-BGDĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that the salary for one tutoring lesson is equal to the salary for one tutoring lesson multiplied by 150%. The salary for one tutoring lesson is determined based on the total salary of teachers in 12 months of the school year, lesson norms and the number of teaching weeks as prescribed.
Principal explains due to lack of funding
The principal of a primary school in Quynh Luu commune said that in the 2025-2026 school year, the school will pay about 60,000 VND for one lesson exceeding the norm. With this spending level, the total amount the school has to pay is more than 500 million VND. According to the principal, the biggest difficulty lies in the funding source: "The school does not have funds to spend more, but does not cut a penny from teachers. All expenses are public.
The principal of a secondary school in Truong Vinh ward also said that teaching fees exceeding the quota are becoming a financial pressure for many educational institutions.
According to this person, the school has built a budget estimate from the beginning of the year and must ensure many compulsory expenses. Meanwhile, the revenue source is limited, so if the entire number of periods exceeding the norm according to the formula of Circular 21 is paid, the existing funds cannot meet the demand.
Dr. Nguyen Van Khoa - Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training - affirmed that the department has grasped feedback related to the payment of teaching fees exceeding the regulated level without ensuring the regulated level.
The reflection and aspirations of teachers are legitimate. However, the reason is that the financial resources of schools are not enough. We will continue to research and advise on this issue in the near future," said Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa.
