Teacher rank promotion from 2026 will have many major changes

Will promotion still be considered from January 1, 2026?

From January 1, 2026, the Law on Teachers officially takes effect, stipulating many changes in the title of teacher and no longer classifying grades I, II, III as before.

In the Draft Decree detailing a number of articles of the Law on Teachers, the Ministry of Education and Training is expected to switch to the titles of teacher, principal teacher, and senior teacher).

The question that many teachers are interested in is that from January 1, 2026 when the Law on Teachers takes effect, but the Decree detailing a number of articles of the Law on Teachers has not been passed, is it still possible to organize promotion consideration?

Article 42 of the Law on Teachers stipulates transitional regulations stating:

“1. In case the competent authority has approved the project or plan to organize teacher recruitment and consideration for teacher professional title promotion before the effective date of this Law, it is allowed to continue to implement according to the approved project or plan within 12 months from the effective date of this Law.

2. Teachers continue to enjoy teacher seniority allowances until salary policy reform is implemented for cadres, civil servants, public employees, people's armed forces and employees in enterprises".

With this regulation, localities that have implemented the promotion project or plan can continue to implement this project for a period of 12 months from January 1, 2026 (the date the Law on Teachers takes effect).

Thus, the implementation of promotion consideration from January 1, 2026 may have 2 cases occurring:

If the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (or the person assigned or authorized) approves the targets, projects, and promotion plans of any locality, that locality may conduct promotion consideration in 2026 according to the plan.

If any locality does not have a promotion project or plan, it should temporarily stop and wait for new guidance.

In fact, at the end of 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training has repeatedly issued official letters urging the development of projects and plans for promotion consideration at the end of 2025. This shows that many localities have not yet issued targets, projects, and plans to organize promotion consideration.

Expected to switch from promotion to career advancement

If the Draft Decree detailing a number of articles of the Law on Teachers is passed, "promotion" will be transferred to "professional advancement" (including sequential and unscheduled promotion) associated with professional standards and actual achievements; updating the spirit of the 2025 Law on Public Employees to ensure modernity and legal unity.

Teacher career advancement is defined as a teacher being ranked in a position with a higher title in the same academic level or level of training, demonstrating the professional development of the teacher. Teacher career advancement includes: sequential advancement and special promotion.

Progress sequentially: Is the fact that a teacher is ranked in a job position with a higher title adjacent to the same academic level or training level when meeting the professional standards of that title.

Special promotion: It is a case where a teacher is considered for special consideration to be ranked in a job position with a title higher than adjacent or highest in the same educational level or training level.

Professional advancement of teachers is carried out through consideration.

The teacher vocational promotion examination is organized on the principles of equality, publicity, transparency, objectivity and compliance with the law.

It is expected that teachers will be allowed to register for vocational promotion when they meet the following standards and conditions:

Be classified as having good quality at or above completing tasks in the academic year immediately preceding the time of registration for vocational promotion consideration;

Have good political qualities and professional ethics;

Not during the period of considering disciplinary action, disciplinary enforcement or during the period of tham tra, xac minh, conclusion on complaints and denunciations according to regulations on resolving complaints and denunciations;

Meeting the professional standard requirements for the title of teacher participating in professional promotion consideration, except in cases of special promotion consideration.

The Ministry of Education and Training assesses that this regulation will create motivation and fair opportunities for all teachers to continuously develop their careers; improve professionalism and serve as a unified basis for managing teachers in both the public and non-public sectors.

See details HERE.