Mr. Tran Van Hung (Hanoi) reflected that currently, there are many teachers who have directly taught in the education sector for many years, even almost their entire career, but in the final years before retirement, for objective reasons such as the unit's assignment needs, health problems or personal circumstances, they are transferred to positions that do not directly teach such as equipment work, laboratories, administration, letters, libraries, etc.
These cases have had their seniority allowance regime completely terminated and are not included in their pensions upon retirement. According to current regulations, between two civil servants working in the same education sector, the total teaching time is the same (for example, they both have 15 years of direct teaching), but due to differences in teaching time in their careers, there is a significant difference in benefits.
Specifically, the first civil servant participating in teaching for the first 15 years, then due to the requirement of a job transfer to another position in the industry (such as equipment, laboratories, libraries, etc.), the entire previous teaching period will not continue to be calculated for seniority allowances and will not be entitled to receive them upon retirement.
Meanwhile, the second civil servant also has a total teaching period of 15 years but it is implemented at the end of his career, so this person has received a monthly seniority allowance since the 6th year, and upon retirement, this allowance will continue to be included in his pension.
Mr. Hung said that this creates a clear unreasonable point, with the same level of dedication, and the same number of years of teaching, but just because of the difference in teaching time, it leads to a complete difference in benefits. Such a regulation unintentionally violates the principle of fairness, causing disadvantages for civil servants who have long and continuously devoted themselves to the cause of education.
From the above analysis, Mr. Hung suggested that it is necessary to consider and adjust to ensure the principle of "wherever you contribute, you will receive benefits", regardless of the specific working time in your career.
He also proposed to add the beneficiaries of seniority allowances for teachers to include civil servants who have had 5 years or more of continuous teaching experience in public educational institutions under the national education system, regardless of working time in the career ( beginning, mid-term or late);
Allowing the retention of time spent directly teaching to be the basis for calculating seniority allowances, in cases where civil servants are assigned or transferred to positions that are no longer directly teaching but still work in the same education sector, such as: Equipment work, testing, professional specialists, student consultants, libraries, administration, etc.
"When a civil servant retires, if there is a total time directly teaching that meets the prescribed conditions (from 5 years or more), it is recommended to continue to include seniority allowances in pensions, as a form of recognition of merits, encouraging long-term contributions, ensuring consistency in implementing preferential policies for the teaching staff" - Mr. Hung stated.
The Ministry of Education and Training responds to this issue as follows:
The seniority allowance regime for teachers is implemented according to Decree No. 77/2021/ND-CP dated August 1, 2021 of the Government, the subjects of application are teachers who are teaching and educating in public educational institutions.
In case a teacher is transferred to a job position and does not participate in teaching and education, he/she is not eligible for seniority allowances as a teacher. However, in order to recognize the process of dedication and ensure the legitimate rights of the teaching staff when returning to teaching and education, the time they have participated in teaching and education before will be accumulated to continue to receive seniority allowances for teachers.
Currently, the Ministry of Education and Training is coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to develop a Decree regulating salary and allowance policies for teachers in the spirit of Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025 of the Politburo.
During the development process, the Ministry will review and review inadequate regulations in practice, ensuring that teachers' salary policies are suitable for the characteristics of their profession, contributing to increasing income, stabilizing life and creating motivation for teachers to work with peace of mind.
