Teachers Take to the Streets.

With the government failing to respond a public letter sent before the start of the new school year, the three trade union federations in pre-university education in Romania have decided to take to the streets

Corina Cristea, 28.10.2013, 13:40

This Monday, the members of the Free Trade Unions Federations in Education have decided to picket the government building and the headquarters of the ruling Social Liberal Union for three days. Teachers demand that 6% of the GDP be earmarked for education, the amendment of the education law and the passing of a law to increase the salaries of young teachers by 50% and those of the other teachers by 15%. The federation’s president, Simion Hancescu, explains:

“The first and most important problem is financing. If the education system is under-financed we can’t expect quality education. The second problem is the political influence on the system. We call on the government and the ministry of education to appoint people in leading positions who have experience in the system and not on the political scene. School curricula should also be changed as soon as possible because they no longer meet the reality in Romania.”

Excessive bureaucracy is another reason for teachers’ disconent, Simion Hancescu also said:

“At the moment, teachers are busier filling in forms than being involved in the educational process proper.”

According to Simion Hancescu, if the trade unions’ demands are not met, teachers will resort to other protest actions as well, including a big rally on the 6th of November. The Spiru Haret Trade Union Federation also threatens to stage protest actions, including blocking the school year.