Only 2/8 localities implemented support
Decree No. 56/2011/ND-CP dated July 4, 2011 of the Government stipulates the preferential allowance regime according to the profession for medical staff at public schools, which is considered and decided by the head of the unit based on the specific work and revenue sources, but does not exceed 20% of the current salary scale and grade plus leadership position allowance, seniority allowance beyond the framework (if any) of the beneficiary.
The regulations are like that, but currently, in Ninh Binh province, only 2/8 districts and cities have implemented support, the remaining districts have not yet implemented. This is a great disadvantage for current school health officials.
On November 21, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hoan - Head of the Finance and Planning Department of Hoa Lu District People's Committee - said that from January 1, 2024, Hoa Lu District has allocated a budget to support school health officials (from kindergarten to junior high school) in the district.
According to Mr. Hoan, Decree 56 clearly states that the payment of allowances for medical staff at public schools is up to the principals of the schools to balance their own revenue sources to consider and decide on the level of support. However, for public schools in Hoa Lu district, 100% of regular expenditures are currently from the district budget.
"At the end of 2023, after the schools made proposals and based on the report of the District Education and Training Department, the District People's Committee assigned our Finance and Planning Department to review, advise and compare with current regulations. The Finance and Planning Department advised the District People's Committee to provide additional regular expenditure funds to schools to support medical staff from January 1, 2024. Currently, the support level that schools are paying is 20% of the current salary and grade level," said Mr. Hoan.
Unclear regulations
In Ninh Binh city, although many times health officials at public schools have submitted petitions and requests to receive preferential allowances under Decree 56, they have not received them yet. This makes many health officials frustrated because they work in the same profession, same field, same working environment but are not entitled to preferential allowances under Decree 56.
Explaining the above content, Mr. Tran Thanh Chung - Vice Chairman of Ninh Binh City People's Committee said that the City People's Committee has received a petition from a group of medical staff at public schools (from kindergarten to junior high school) in the city to enjoy preferential allowances according to Decree 56. However, according to the provisions of Decree 56, the support and support level are considered and decided by the principals of the schools based on the specific work and revenue sources.
"The decree does not specify the minimum support level, but only stipulates that the support must not exceed 20% of the current salary and grade, and the support fund must come from the school's revenue. This is unreasonable, because in reality, 100% of the regular expenditure of public schools in the city is provided by the budget. Schools have no revenue, so there is no fund to support medical staff at the school," said Mr. Chung.
According to Mr. Chung, to ensure the rights of medical staff at public schools in the city, the City People's Committee is assigning relevant departments and offices to conduct a review to advise the city on how to handle the matter.
"Our point of view is how to best ensure the rights of health officials but must ensure compliance with legal regulations," said Mr. Chung.
