The Minister of Education & Training hopes to see Vietnam continue maintaining political and economic stabilities in a sustainable and effective manner.

"If we can do that, I believe 2010 will be a good year for teaching staff and students," said Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Deputy PM cum Minister of Education & Training Nguyen Thien Nhan with pupils from Cai Nuoc Town, Ca Mau Province (Photo by Thanh Quang)

As part of a meeting with the press on the occasion of Lunar New Year, Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Education & Training Nguyen Thien Nhan expressed his wishes for when 2010 comes to an end. He hopes that Vietnam will enter a new decade with a new position in the international arena where it will no longer be ranked as a poor country and become a reliable, reputable member nation of South East Asia and the world.

“In this environment, where the global economy hasn’t recovered, my wish is that Vietnam can keep maintaining political and economic stabilities in a sustainable and effective manner which will be the backbone for education development,” expressed the Minister.

The amendment of education laws passed in 2005 along with financial changes made by the National Assembly help provide the most favourable conditions for education. The government has never invested in education as much as they do now.

“With renovations in the education and training industry, I believe that 2010 will be a good year for teaching staff and students,” added the Minister.

He affirmed that the national Party, government and people had confidence in educators, respected their contributions, efforts and determination to the cause of “human cultivation”. They are growing young buds for our country in the first half of the 21st century.

However, he expressed concerns about their salary because it’s not as high as other industries such as heath.

Their minimal monthly salary was increased from VND350,000 ($18.9) in 2006 to VND650,000 ($35) in 2009 and it’s forecasted to go up to VND730,000 ($39.4) in 2010, according to Nhan.

Furthermore, teaching allowance has risen 35% on average. University’s lecturers, teaching staff at pedagogic schools and teachers of pre-schools and primary schools in remote areas benefit from an increase of 25%, 40% and 50% respectively.

In addition to teaching allowance, they also have teaching experience allowances.

“Within the year, Ministry of Education & Training in collaboration with relevant bodies will submit to the government a proposal of teaching experience allowance increase in order to improve incomes for teaching staff,” said Nhan.