A tense start to the school year
The new school year in Romania begins amid discontent among education staff
Roxana Vasile, 08.09.2025, 14:00
The new school year began in Romania on September 8 amid discontent among education workers over the austerity measures imposed by the PSD-PNL-UDMR-USR coalition government. The major trade union federations repeatedly called for a boycott of the start of the school year, and in many schools the traditional opening ceremonies were not held. Even without the usual activities for the first day of school, however, the approximately 3 million preschoolers and pupils were welcomed into their classrooms. In Bucharest, a rally was announced in front of the executive headquarters and a protest march to the presidential palace.
The main complaint is the increase in teaching hours, which, according to trade unionists, is equivalent to a hidden 10-20% cut in teachers’ incomes, as teachers are forced to teach more different subjects in order to accumulate the hours needed to complete their teaching quota. There is also discontent over the reduction in hourly pay, the increase in class sizes, and the merging of schools with fewer than 500 students. In short, the unions are denouncing an unprecedented crisis in Romanian education over the last 35 years. Education which, incidentally, has been subject throughout this period to rather unsuccessful reforms by the ministers who have managed the field over time. The current minister, university professor Daniel David, states in a press release that he understands the discontent, but believes that it should not be used to block the education system, but rather to develop measures and reforms to improve it.
The changes are austerity measures, not aimed at reforming the field, say the discontented. Several student organizations have announced their support for the teachers’ protests and have also denounced the changes to the scholarship system, which significantly reduce the number of beneficiaries, in the name of the collective effort required of all ordinary Romanians to reduce the country’s huge deficit.
According to a study by the NGO World Vision Romania, at the start of this school year, only 42% of Romanian pupils have all the necessary supplies, and 12% have almost nothing ready for school. In addition, only about 23% have been clearly and fully informed about the legislative changes and reorganizations being prepared in schools, around 48% have heard only briefly, and over 22% have not been informed at all. Nevertheless, 25% of pupils say they are very confident and 49% are fairly confident that school will prepare them for adult life. Many want more closeness between teachers and children, a teaching method based on clear examples and practical exercises, less homework, and a curriculum adapted to real needs. (MI)
