EduMin Cimpeanu: Teaching staff's dissatisfaction is normal; I am convinced majority won't abandon pupils

The Minister of Education, Sorin Cîmpeanu, on Sunday stated that the salaries of teachers must be motivating and that the dissatisfaction of those who intend to go on strike as a result of the non-application of Law No. 153/2017 is normal, Agerpres reports.

On the other hand, the Minister stated that he relies on the understanding of teachers, expressing his conviction that the vast majority of them will not abandon their pupils, already affected by online education.

"The Ministry of Education is in constant discussion with the unions. As Minister of Education, I have supported and maintain the view that quality education cannot be done without a motivating and attractive salary. As a result of the discussions we always have with the unions, it is known that we increased salaries by 4.5pct in 2022 - the increases came into force in January. (...) These increases are half of what is stipulated by Law No. 153, so it is somehow normal for them to be dissatisfied with the non-application of Law No. 153. On the other hand, the constraints generated by the need to be included in the budget deficit assumed by Romania have generated this situation, which is serious from the perspective of progress in education," he told Realitatea TV private television broadcaster on Sunday.

The Minister reminded that the 8pct salary increases that was meant to happen in 2021 did not happen.

On the other hand, he underscored the importance of courses with physical attendance, noting that the online school has led to an increase in socio-emotional disorders and ophthalmic disorders.

"I am convinced that the vast majority of teachers, although I know that they are right from this perspective, of the salary demands, will not abandon the pupils, given that we have managed to start the second semester with a physical presence in all schools and kindergartens in Romania. This is a very important thing and I rely on the understanding of my fellow teachers," said Ciîmpeanu.

The Minister also mentioned that, following the applied increases, a teacher who is at the beginning of his/her career has a net salary of 2,597 lei, food allowance included. The net salary of a teacher with a work experience of over 40 years is 4,398 lei. To these salaries can be added increases, such as: 10pct for teacher who are also class masters, 25pct for merit grading, 7-20pct for simultaneous teaching, 15pct for teaching in special education, 3-20pct in rural areas.

Education workers, union members, will go on strike on Wednesday, according to the Federation of Free Trade Unions in Education and the Federation of Education Trade Unions "Spiru Haret."

"The Federation of Free Trade Unions in Education and the Federation of Education Trade Unions" Spiru Haret "- representative organizations at the level of pre-university education sector - have decided, based on the results of the referendum held between December 17, 2021 - January 14, 2022, to go on a warning strike on Wednesday, January 19, 2022," the same source shows.