Last week, he proposed to raise teachers’ salaries by 10 percent starting in January, for a total of 21 percent next year.
“Financial possibilities have been exhausted, there is no longer an opportunity to offer larger funds, but the negotiations continue, we also talk about non-financial measures, I talk not only with trade union leaders, but also directly with teachers, I constantly go to schools, I hear the problems they raise – some hundreds of millions are not needed to solve them, they can be solved here and now”, the minister told reporters before the Government meeting on Wednesday.
As one of such non-financial measures, he named trainings: both the inconvenient time of their organization, the absence of records that could be viewed at a convenient time, and the poor evaluation system, when even badly evaluated trainings are continued and held again in schools.
He called the negotiations with four of the five trade unions, which will continue on Thursday, constructive.
The Ministry’s proposals do not satisfy the trade union of Lithuanian education workers, led by Andriaus Navickos. This trade union intends to organize a long-term strike, month-long protest actions at the Government starting from Friday.
“One out of five chose a different path of discussion, where all paths of discussion are possible, the chosen method of strike, we respect that choice and we will discuss in the formats chosen by them,” said G. Jakštas.
According to him, recommendations are currently being prepared on how to ensure safety and the educational process in schools so that children are not harmed when teachers strike.
“And school leaders call that they are in the dark about how to ensure safety and the educational process in schools. Today we are working, we are preparing a letter for school leaders on how to ensure safety, what are the measures, how to react in one or another case. At the moment, the most important thing is that if the teachers go on strike, the students will not suffer as a result”, said the minister.
He said he did not yet know how many teachers were preparing to join the strike.
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Interview with Minister of Education on Proposed Salary Increase for Teachers
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Minister. Last week, you proposed a 10 percent salary increase for teachers starting in January, which would total a 21 percent increase over the next year. What prompted this decision?
Minister: Thank you for having me. The decision to raise teachers’ salaries was driven by our commitment to improving education quality and recognizing the essential role teachers play in our society. We believe that a financial increase, even if modest, signals our respect for their hard work and dedication.
Interviewer: You mentioned that financial possibilities have been exhausted. Can you elaborate on what you meant by that?
Minister: Certainly. Our budget constraints are significant, and while a 10 percent increase is a step in the right direction, we have to be realistic about what we can achieve financially. We are in discussions with trade unions and seeking to balance financial constraints with the needs expressed by educators.
Interviewer: You also emphasized non-financial measures as part of the solution. Can you provide examples of what these might include?
Minister: Yes, one major focus is improving training programs for teachers. We’ve recognized issues such as poor scheduling and inadequate evaluation systems for these trainings. Our goal is to make these resources more accessible and effective, ensuring they truly benefit teachers without requiring additional funding.
Interviewer: How have the negotiations with the trade unions been going, especially with the Lithuanian education workers’ union led by Andriaus Navickos?
Minister: The discussions have been constructive. We have engaged with four of the five trade unions, and I believe there is a mutual understanding of the challenges we face. However, the union led by Navickos has expressed dissatisfaction with our proposals, which we will continue to address in our upcoming meetings.
Interviewer: What are the next steps in these negotiations?
Minister: We plan to meet with the unions again on Thursday. Our goal is to find common ground. While we face significant constraints, I am hopeful that open dialogue will lead to solutions that benefit both teachers and the educational system.
Interviewer: Thank you, Minister, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how these negotiations progress.
Minister: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to share our approach and commitment to supporting our teachers.
Evaluation systems for those trainings. We want to ensure that trainings are accessible and beneficial to teachers, as well as aligning them with their needs. This can be done without significant financial investment, which is crucial given our current budget limitations.
Interviewer: The negotiations with the trade unions have been described as constructive, yet one of the unions is planning a long-term strike. How do you plan to address this ongoing situation?
Minister: We respect the decision of the Lithuanian education workers’ union to pursue a strike as a form of discussion. We are committed to continuing constructive dialogue with all unions. We are also preparing recommendations to ensure that the educational process in schools is maintained and that students are protected during any potential strike action.
Interviewer: What specific measures are being taken to ensure the safety and educational continuity for students?
Minister: We are actively working on a letter to school leaders outlining safety protocols and guidelines for managing the educational experience should a strike occur. It is vital for us to maintain a focus on student welfare, ensuring they do not suffer as a result of any labor actions.
Interviewer: how many teachers are you anticipating will participate in the strike?
Minister: At this moment, we do not have a clear picture of the participation rate among teachers. We are in close communication with school administrators to gauge the situation. Our priority remains to protect the students and support teachers in whatever capacity we can. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues today.
Interviewer: Thank you, Minister, for your insights and for addressing the concerns surrounding teachers’ salaries and the strike action.
Minister: Thank you for having me.
