Low salaries in education contribute to lower qualification and interest in work
- 01.08.2008 06:37
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The teachers in Moldova continue to receive salaries that are lower than the average salary in the economy, reason for which they have to carry out additional activities to scratch a living. As a result, the qualification level and the interest in work decreases. The statements were made on July 31 by Alexandru Gamanji, the author of a study on the topic included in the fifth number of the Economic Reality publication, which was launched on Thursday by the analytical center Expert- Grup. The salary of a teacher in Moldova is 1.9 times lower than in Ukraine, 2.6 times lower than in Bulgaria and 5.6 times lower than in Romania, Info-Prim Neo reports.
According to the analyst, teacher’s salaries are calculated on the basis of a common tariff scheme that does not reflect the complexity and responsibility of this profession. In Romania for instance, the teachers benefit from a merit salary if they show good results in the didactic and scientific activity. The salary system in Moldova does not provide for such an increment. The fresh teachers have a salary of 600-700 lei that does not stimulate them to remain in the education system.
“We must not be afraid to offer the legal status of civil servants to the teachers and doctors. Some 8.9% of the population in Moldova worked in public administration in 2007, as opposed to 15%- to 30% in Central and Western Europe,” Gamanji said.
Attending the launch of the publication, Pentru Chiriac, the vice president of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova, said that the salary earned by teachers, especially after the energy and food prices have increased, does not cover their basic necessities. He reminded that on July 14, the trade unions demanded that teachers’ salaries are raised by 35% as from September 1. Chiriac said that the teachers now receive 1,600-1,700 lei for 36 hours a week.
“We have announced we will hold a protest on August 4 if the Government does not decide to increase the minimum salary in the budgetary sector, which is used to calculate teachers’ salaries,“ Chiriac said. According to him, in several days they will know if the protest is needed.
