“We have presented an unprecedented proposal, such a growth in both the budget and salary change has never happened in our history, next year the salary for teachers would increase by 21 percent, the first step would be 10 percent from January,” G. told reporters after a negotiation meeting with trade union representatives on Friday. Yakshta.
“We haven’t heard the decisions and the position yet, because we understand that they need to consult with their team as well,” he asserted.
According to the minister, teachers working under updated general education programs will also receive more funds, and the total increase in the wage fund is up to a quarter.
“In addition, we proposed to continue what was appointed this year until the end of the school year from September, 3 percent. additional funds that provide the opportunity to allocate 20 percent for more preparation with updated educational content, roughly speaking, every second teacher working in general education schools receives it, next to that 21%. growth will have another 5-6 percent. bigger funds, because they will work with the updated content,” the minister announced.
According to him, this means that the growth for all teachers would be 21 percent. next year, and those working with updated programs can still expect an additional up to 6 percent. growth.
“The general wage fund is being roughly increased by a quarter, in total it is more than 300 million. intended for raising teachers’ wages”, the minister noted.
Andrius Navickas, head of the trade union of Lithuanian education workers, said after the meeting that the trade union will evaluate the proposals, and the decision to declare a strike paid off.
“We have heard until now that salaries cannot be increased at all, as presented by the ministry today, they even found funds for 6 percent. without redistributing the budget and increasing teachers’ salaries, we heard that it is not necessary and impossible to reduce classes, everyone heard about today’s case (a student attacked a teacher – BNS), we heard that there were no opportunities to increase salaries twice, now we see that there are offers and those percentages is increasing”, said A. Navickas.
“We understand that we made a very correct decision regarding the announcement of the strike, it helps a lot in the negotiations, the negotiations are only gaining momentum,” added the head of the trade union.
On Friday, Minister of Education, Science and Sports G. Jakštas continued negotiations with representatives of trade unions regarding salary increases for teachers.
During negotiations on Tuesday, G. Jakštas proposed to the trade unions to raise teachers’ salaries by 20.5 percent next year: from January – 6 percent, and to add the rest in September. The trade union representatives did not agree with this, they demand a more significant wage increase from the new year.
The minister previously said that about 300 million will be needed to increase teachers’ salaries next year. euros, and changing the proportions by additionally increasing salaries even by 1 percent. from January, it would cost the budget about 10 million. euros.
The trade union of Lithuanian education workers, led by A.Navickos, organized a warning strike last Friday, and plans to start the real strike on September 29.
This trade union wants teachers’ salaries to grow by 56 percent.
The possibility of a strike is not ruled out by another Lithuanian education and science trade union. Its head, Egidijus Milešinas, claims that the salary increase proposed by the ministry is not satisfactory, according to him, teachers’ salaries must increase by at least 10 percent from January.
On Tuesday, G. Jakštas agreed with the trade unions on the reduction of classes from next September, and announced that an analysis of teachers’ workload will be carried out by the end of the year.
The government is committed that teachers’ salaries must reach 130% next year. of the national salary average.
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#Jakštas #unprecedented #offer #teachers
**Interview with Minister G. Jakštas on Proposed Teacher Salary Increases**
**News Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Jakštas. You’ve recently announced a significant proposal for increasing teacher salaries in the upcoming year. Can you explain what this proposal entails?
**Minister G. Jakštas:** Thank you for having me. Our proposal is unprecedented in our history, aiming for a comprehensive 21% salary increase for teachers next year. The first phase starts in January with a 10% rise. Additionally, teachers engaged with updated educational programs stand to receive further increases, potentially adding up to 6% more to their salaries.
**News Editor:** That’s a substantial increase. What factors prompted this decision?
**Minister G. Jakštas:** There are a few reasons. We recognize the critical role teachers play in shaping our society, and given the challenges they’ve faced, especially in recent years, it is essential to invest in their profession. Furthermore, we want to ensure that those adapting to new educational programs are adequately rewarded.
**News Editor:** The trade unions have been vocal about salary increases. How have they responded to your proposal?
**Minister G. Jakštas:** We engaged in constructive discussions with the trade unions. While some representatives have expressed satisfaction with the proposals, they are still assessing the details. I believe our discussions have gained momentum, and we are hopeful to come to an agreement that works for everyone.
**News Editor:** Andrius Navickas from the trade union mentioned that the announcement of a potential strike was pivotal in these negotiations. Do you believe that such actions can lead to constructive outcomes?
**Minister G. Jakštas:** Absolutely. Strikes and collective action can emphasize the urgency of the situation and prompt essential conversations. While strikes are never ideal, they can serve as a strong indicator of the necessity for change, and I respect their decision to advocate for better conditions for teachers.
**News Editor:** You mentioned earlier that the general wage fund will be significantly increased. Can you provide more details regarding the financial implications?
**Minister G. Jakštas:** Yes, we are looking at an overall increase of about a quarter in the wage fund, equating to more than 300 million allocated specifically for raising teachers’ salaries. This investment underscores our commitment to elevating educational standards and supporting our educators.
**News Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Minister Jakštas. It will be interesting to see how these negotiations progress and if they lead to a satisfactory resolution for both the government and the educators.
**Minister G. Jakštas:** Thank you for having me. We are optimistic about the future of education in our country, and I assure you that we are dedicated to finding a fair solution.
