site.btaTeachers in Romania Protest for Second Day, Threaten to Boycott New School Year

Teachers are protesting for a second consecutive day in front of the Ministry of Education in Bucharest, Digi24 reported on Thursday. The demonstrators are threatening to start the new school year with strike action and a large-scale rally on September 8 and are demanding the resignation of the minister responsible, Daniel David.

They are dissatisfied with the measures taken by the government of Ilie Bolojan, which are due to come into force on September 1 and provide for an increase in the number of students in classes and a reduction in income.

“The measures taken are necessary, not desirable, in order to protect salaries and scholarships in the fall,” said Education Minister Daniel David, quoted by Digi24.

He explained that many of the planned changes are temporary and will be reconsidered once the crisis is over.

He added that if his resignation could solve the financial situation in education and research, he would have announced it long ago, but there is no money to pay salaries and scholarships for the whole year.

A week ago, education unions in Romania issued an open letter to President Nicusor Dan, urging him not to promulgate the first package of fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit, which is due to come into force on August 1.