Teachers to receive occupational allowances of up to 80%
Teachers will be entitled to occupational preferential allowances ranging from 20% to 80%, depending on education level, type of institution and working conditions, under a newly issued Government decree.
The policy aims to improve policies for teachers, education managers and support staff, while encouraging them to continue working in disadvantaged, remote, border and island areas, as well as at specialised educational institutions.
The decree will take effect on July 7, 2026, with allowance rates applied retroactively from January 1.
Under Decree No. 182/2026/ND-CP, a 20% allowance will be granted to educational support staff at preschool, general and continuing education institutions, vocational secondary schools and several specialised schools and centres.
A 25% allowance will apply to lecturers at universities and training institutions under ministries and central agencies, as well as instructors directly supervising practical training at workshops, laboratories and training vessels.
Teachers working at political centres at commune, ward and special-zone levels, colleges, vocational education centres and those directly involved in practical vocational training will receive a 30% allowance.
A 35% allowance will be provided to teachers at vocational education centres in Region I and Region II communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, along with island and border communes.
The 40% allowance will cover teachers of political education subjects at intermediate schools, lower and upper secondary school teachers, lecturers at pedagogical universities and faculties, and teachers integrating theory with practice at vocational schools. Teachers holding titles such as Meritorious Artist, Meritorious Physician or Meritorious Artisan, and those with advanced vocational skills certificates teaching practical subjects, will also qualify.
A 45% allowance will be granted to preschool, primary, secondary and continuing education teachers working in mountainous, border and island communes. Lecturers teaching political theory at universities and central training institutions are also eligible.
The decree stipulates a 60% allowance for teachers and education managers at sports and arts talent schools, semi-boarding ethnic minority schools, and preschool and primary school teachers in mountainous, island and border communes in Region I and Region II.
Teachers and education managers working in areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions will receive a 70% allowance.
Meanwhile, the highest allowance level of 80% will apply to teachers and managers at ethnic minority boarding schools, specialised high schools, pre-university schools, schools for persons with disabilities, inclusive education support centres, and institutions located in especially disadvantaged areas.
The decree states that the allowance will be calculated monthly based on current salary and related allowances. Certain periods will not qualify for the allowance, including overseas study or work periods receiving only 40% salary, suspension or detention periods, maternity leave, social insurance leave, and unpaid leave lasting one month or longer.
Teachers' wages must top administrative, non-productive salary scale system
The Politburo has concluded that teachers' salaries must be placed on the top of the salary scale system for the administrative and non-productive sector, with additional allowances tailored to the work's nature and regions.
