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A newly-released Government decree designed to provide favourable treatment for teachers and educational officials in deprived areas is expected to encourage them to become more devoted to their careers.

According to Decree 19, if teachers or educational officials take their families with them to work in deprived areas, they will be offered a subsidy worth 12 times the minimum regional salary regulated by the State (between VND1.65-2.35 million) instead of the current subsidy of only VND6.5 million (US$312).

The decree, which offers amendments to the old 2006 decree on favourable treatment towards teachers in poor areas, will take effect from April 15.

The decree also states that teachers who work in deprived areas will enjoy an initial subsidy worth 10 times the minimum salary upon his or her relocation.

Plus, those whose working tenure in deprived areas already ended but have not been relocated will continue to enjoy an incentive subsidy equivalent to 70 per cent of their current salary.

Vu Van Su, deputy director of the Education and Training Department in northern mountain Ha Giang Province, said the adjustment showed flexibility from the Government.

“The new policy is not only meaningful in material terms but also shows the State’s appreciation for teachers’ devotion to their careers in deprived areas.”

Su added that this was the most suitable method of compensation.

Dinh Chuong, a teacher at the Son Dong Ethnic Boarding School in northern Bac Giang Province, said with excitement: “Our expectations have finally been met. This incentive will motivate us to dedicate ourselves even more towards our work.”

Chuong added that many teachers whose working tenures had ended continued to work in deprived areas throughout the country, so a policy that subsidised their work was very necessary.

Quach Van Tuyen, a teacher in northern mountain Son La Province, said many teachers were unwilling to commit to long-term contracts in deprived areas because they were only offered subsidies during the first five years.

“With the new decree, teachers are more likely to stay on and give help in these poor parts of the country,” Tuyen said.

Luu Tuan Anh, who has worked in an especially disadvantaged area in central Thanh Hoa Province for over 15 years, said he led a difficult life.

Tuan Anh said he had left his children and elderly parents behind in his home town to move to Thanh Hoa.

“With a salary of only 35 per cent more than in normal areas and high travelling costs, I can only afford to return home once every two or three months.”

With the new support policy, Tuan Anh said he felt reassured that he would have additional money to take care of his family.

Nguyen Hong Lieu, head of the Social - Cultural Section of the People’s Council of central Ninh Thuan Province and former director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, said the policy would encourage teachers to become more committed to their work, especially those who decided to stay in deprived areas for a long time.