The education system in Moldova is in a deep crisis. Radical, system-wide measures must be taken to correct the situation. The statements were made by Presidential Counselor on Education, Research, and Culture Corneliu Popovici, on the “Acces direct” show on NTV Moldova, IPN reports.
According to him, Moldova’s largest universities are concerned with the decreasing number of students and the demotivating atmosphere among teachers. “This year, the number of students will fall considerably, relative to previous years. This means less classes for professors, and lower salaries, which implies the bankruptcy of our country’s secondary education system,” said Corneliu Popovici.
Commenting on the petition initiated by professors during a protest event, the counselor says it is a cry out of desperation, proof that they have had enough. Professors have meager salaries that don’t provide proper sustenance. “What kind of teaching quality can we expect from professors who don’t have enough to eat, live on, or to raise their children? The moment has come, for an overhaul of the teachers’ salary system,” said Corneliu Popovici.
According to him, in recent years Moldova has allotted substantial resources for education. Compared to neighboring states, Moldova allots a higher share of its GDP for education, the counselor says, yet the allotted money is managed inefficiently. “There is money within the system, but it is managed inefficiently. Therefore, the system doesn’t work; the professors aren’t motivated, and we get the results we currently have,” stated Corneliu Popovici.
The counselor says that over the 7-8 previous years, around ten thousand teaching staff members have left the system. Currently, only 10% of education major graduates proceed to work in the education system. “Every year, 4-5 times more people leave than enter the system. Therefore, there is a risk that by 2021 aggregate education staff will have a major deficit, and over 40% of those employed in the field will have surpassed their retirement age,” the counselor mentioned.
On August 16, the “Teachers in Solidarity” community has launched a petition addressed to state institutions, asking for a 50% increase in the salaries of teaching staff and double salaries for auxiliary staff. On September 5, after the signature collection phase, the petition will be submitted to the petitioned institutions. The initiative group hopes that in a month, i.e. until October 5 – International Teacher’s Day, the authorities will come back with a positive response to their requests.
