Brian Jeffrey
A study conducted by the Institute for Policy Development at HCM City National University explores the situation of teachers in Binh Thuan, Tay Ninh, and Hau Giang provinces. Nearly 13,000 teachers and educational administrators were interviewed for this report during September and October.
Following an increase in the basic wage from VND 1.8 million to VND 2.34 million as of July 1, 2024, teachers’ earnings have noticeably improved.
Nevertheless, these earnings only cover 51.87 percent of the monthly expenses for families that have additional income sources. For teachers without extra jobs, that figure rises to 62.55 percent.
Teachers with less than a decade of experience reported that their pay meets merely 45.7 percent of their essential monthly needs.
The survey reflects a significant financial pressure among teachers, scoring an average of 3.61 out of 5, where 5 indicates extreme stress. Approximately 44 percent of educators experience high to very high financial pressure, while only 19 percent feel financially comfortable.
In addition, instructors feel burdened by various professional tasks, including lesson preparations, participating in meetings, and adhering to regulations regarding expected conduct towards students.
Notably, a major source of stress comes from the parents of students. Around 70.21 percent of teachers feel pressured by parents, with 40.63 percent contemplating quitting due to emotional distress caused by parental interactions.
The findings also reveal that an overwhelming 71.83 percent of educators are overloaded with work, particularly affecting preschool teachers at 87.65 percent. Almost 70 percent of preschool teachers lack leisure time for physical activities and relaxation. Furthermore, 46 percent of educators across different levels allocate less than 10 percent of their daily schedules for personal time, only managing to devote 15.81 percent to family care.
In interviews, 25.4 percent of teachers reported conducting extra classes in their schools, with 9.2 percent offering tutoring externally. Subjects taught included Mathematics, Literature, English, Physics, and Chemistry.
On average, primary school teachers have an additional 8.6 hours of teaching per week, while secondary school teachers engage in 13.75 hours, and high school teachers 14.91 hours.
Teachers have adopted various private tutoring formats; some tutor students in their own schools, while others conduct lessons at home, through review centers, online, or via open courseware. Teachers at tutoring centers are predominantly English instructors.
Despite regulations prohibiting extra teaching hours, many educators continue to offer these sessions in both in-person and online settings. The survey indicates that 63.57 percent of teachers are open to the legalization of extra tutoring, including at-home and online classes, to enhance their income through their professional skills.
While acknowledging the inadequacy of their salaries and the challenges they face at work, a substantial 94.23 percent of teachers remain committed to their profession, motivated by their passion for students. Nearly half of those surveyed indicated their job retention is due to reasonable pay and benefits.
A significant 89.18 percent of educators expressed the need for better financial support. Other desired changes include raising income levels (83.57 percent), reducing retirement age (83.91 percent), and simplifying promotion processes (82.96 percent).
The researchers from HCM City National University advocate for greater attention to wage and allowance policies, a robust legal framework to shield teachers from pressure, lowering the retirement age specifically for preschool educators, and extending service periods for those with advanced academic titles.
The issue of extra classes remains contentious; some parents claim their children feel compelled to attend additional lessons with their teachers, fearing bullying during regular classes if they do not comply. Conversely, teachers argue that these sessions are in high demand among parents and students.
