Romania: teachers protest against cutbacks
Thousands of teachers and students took to the streets of Bucharest on Monday to protest the government's austerity measures in the education sector and demand the resignation of Education Minister Daniel David. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan maintains that Romania "can't afford" any more investments in the sector at present.
Savings at the expense of students and teachers
For the weekly Revista 22 the teachers' protest makes sense:
“After 20 years of work, many teachers are now set to lose 1,000 lei [roughly 250 euros] per month overnight. And teachers' salaries have always been far too low. ... Entire schools are being merged for the sake of ridiculous financial savings, while communities lose their key institutions and stability. Education grants are being cut with the cynical explanation that students should find part-time jobs, because 'that's how it's done in the US'. Instead of a coherent education policy we now have austerity measures that are defended on the grounds that 'there is no money'.”
The money is simply lacking
Contributors presents arguments against the teachers' demands:
“The taxes, levies and contributions of four million hard-working, honest Romanians, employees and employers can't possibly generate enough revenues to finance all the wage and pension increases, allowances, scholarships, bonuses and special leave. ... No, these revenues cannot compensate for the mess caused by rampant tax evasion and undeclared work, also in the education sector. There's simply no more money because there's no more revenues being generated, dear teachers.”