The days of waiting
For many teachers, the joy lies not only in the received amount but also in the feeling that their rights are guaranteed, to enter the new year with peace of mind and confidence.
Ms. Tuyet (name changed) - a retired teacher who has taught for more than 30 years in particularly difficult socio-economic areas - still clearly remembers the feeling of hesitation when the application for one-time allowance according to Decree 76/2019/ND-CP was returned.
I started working in 1991, in 1994 I was ranked according to the decision of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee. I thought the regime was natural, but when my application was rejected due to lack of some decisions, I was really confused," she recounted.
Although they have submitted applications since 2021, by 2023, many teachers have not been resolved, even rejected on the grounds of lack of recruitment decisions or decisions recognizing recruitment results from competent authorities.
In the context of the transformation of the 2-level local government model, many people worry that their dossiers will be forgotten.
At times I thought I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to receive that allowance anymore. But Tet this year was really fun when that money came back," Ms. Tuyet said.
Belief is kept
After Lao Dong Newspaper reflected, teachers were paid a regional allowance for particularly difficult areas. Each person received from 50 to 100 million VND, depending on the number of years of service.
When receiving the money, Ms. Tuyet could not hide her emotion. "That is recognition for a whole life of sticking to the village and class. I am grateful that my rights have been protected to the end," she shared.
Not only the issue of subsidies, the issue of slow salary payment for contract teachers was also resolved after the reflection.
Mr. S - a teacher at a secondary school in Nam Gianh area - said that his contract is valid from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025. According to the contract, salaries are paid at the beginning or end of the month. However, from June 2025, many teachers have not received summer salaries even though they still participate in training, invigilation, grading and fully perform professional tasks.
We still work normally but our salaries are slow. Some people have to borrow money to cover living expenses. The biggest worry is the feeling that our rights have not been clearly recognized," Mr. S said.
After Lao Dong Newspaper intervened, Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee decided to deduct the "Labor Contract Fund according to Decree 111/2022/ND-CP" from the 2025 budget estimate to allocate funds to the People's Committees of communes and wards to pay salaries and support activities for contract teachers at public educational institutions.
When he heard the news that funding was allocated, Mr. S said that many colleagues were really relieved. "We just hope to be paid correctly, fully and at the right time to feel secure in teaching. When everything is resolved, faith also returns," he shared.
From the feeling of deadlock due to backlog of dossiers and slow payment of salaries, to when benefits are implemented in accordance with regulations, that journey has closed with the burst of joy of teachers.
This year's Tet is much lighter. No more worries because the regime has not been resolved, my family can prepare a full and warm Tet," Mr. S shared.
