Thousands of teachers and staff in Hanoi have voiced their concerns over potentially losing bonuses tied to additional income policies. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has acknowledged the issue and promised action to protect their rights.

Teachers’ concerns over income disparity

Nguyen Van Duong, a teacher at Phu Xuyen A High School in Phu Xuyen District, and other educators in Hanoi, recently wrote a letter to city leaders. The letter expressed frustration over the inability of teachers in fully autonomous public schools to access additional income under Decree 73.

According to Duong, educators were initially hopeful about the promised income boost. However, they were disappointed when their schools informed them that they were not eligible for the policy because their institutions are classified as fully autonomous public units.

Duong argued that teachers in autonomous schools are still civil servants, with the same obligations and rights as their counterparts in other public units nationwide. He called for city leaders to address the disparity, allowing all educators to benefit equally from the additional income policy.

Impact on thousands of teachers

At least 200 schools across Hanoi, including kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools, have been piloted as fully autonomous units. This has affected thousands of teachers in the city.

In November 2023, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training delegated financial autonomy to public schools for the 2024–2025 period. However, this autonomy does not increase the schools’ revenue but changes how funding is allocated—from budget estimates to service contracts.

Teachers in non-autonomous schools are eligible for additional income under Decree 73, while those in autonomous units are excluded. This disparity has led to dissatisfaction among teachers, who view the situation as inequitable.

Some teachers fear that the exclusion of autonomous schools from receiving additional income will discourage others from participating in service contracting models, undermining broader policy goals.

Department and city response

On January 6, a representative of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training confirmed they had received the teachers’ concerns. The department has reported the issue to city leaders, seeking guidance to ensure teachers' rights are protected.

“We will seek approval from the Hanoi People’s Committee and the People’s Council to resolve this issue and ensure fair treatment for all teachers,” the representative stated.

Similar issues have arisen elsewhere in Vietnam. In Vinh Long’s Tra On District, nearly 2,000 teachers were initially at risk of losing bonuses under Decree 73. However, after teachers raised their concerns, the local Department of Finance approved the bonuses.

Hoang Thanh