site.btaRomanian Unions Urge President to Reject Fiscal Package Affecting Education System

Romanian education unions addressed an open letter to President Nicusor Dan, published by local media on Thursday, urging him not to promulgate the first package of fiscal measures aimed at reducing the national budget deficit, scheduled to take effect on August 1. Among the proposed measures are increasing the number of students per classroom and adding two teaching hours to teachers’ weekly workload. “Mr. President, do not take part in the destruction of Romanian education!” the unions wrote.

As justification, the unions cite an analysis by the Institute for Educational Sciences, warning that if the measures proposed by the government of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan are implemented, they would seriously impact both education staff and students.

“We consider it essential for the President of Romania to resubmit the Fiscal Budget Measures Act to Parliament and to request the repeal of provisions that would cause long-term harm to the education system,” the unions urged.

A delegation representing the three national education federations will submit materials on the issue to the President of Romania on Friday.

Meanwhile, protest messages with ironic and symbolic overtones have emerged online. Created by visual artist Dan Perjovschi, the messages are addressed to Education and Research Minister Daniel David, calling for his resignation.