The funds from the city budget, intended to provide teachers with the necessary stationery, will reach Klaipėda’s general education schools and kindergartens this year.
Until 2023 46.5 thousand will be allocated from the budget of the Klaipėda City Municipality for teachers’ stationery at the end of the year. euros. The rest of the funds will be disbursed in the first half of next year. According to the new procedure, the educational institution will be able to use the additional funds only for the stationery necessary for the teacher’s work.
“Keeping the promises made to the people of Klaipėda, with concrete and tangible works, we aim to make the educational community of Klaipėda feel strong and safe, so that the people who educate our children can do their responsible work with dignity and creativity. We hear the expectations of the educational community – teachers, parents, trade unions. Education is our priority. We are preparing a whole package of positive changes”, says Klaipėda City Mayor Arvydas Vaitkus.
The union of the trade union of Lithuanian education workers of the city of Klaipėda into the administration of the port city municipality due to the allocation of funds for office supplies to the members of the trade union in accordance with the 2022 applied for the collective agreement of the Lithuanian branch of education and science signed in March last year. It was requested to provide additional funds to provide teachers, members of the trade union, with necessary clerical tools for their work, so that for each teacher’s position, up to 60 EUR per year would be required for this purpose. Then the request was not granted.
However, this year, when Mayor A. Vaitkas takes the helm of the city, Klaipėda City Municipality will add to the sparse list of municipalities in the country that allocate funds for teachers’ stationery. Among these are Vilnius city municipality, which allocates funding from the budget to schools for a number of years (from 65 EUR/pupil, part of the money is allocated to stationery) and Kaunas district municipality, which compensates teachers for 100 EUR of stationery costs per school year.
There are more new solutions of the city government that are attractive to educators. In July of this year, the Municipal Council approved the procedure for compensating travel expenses for pedagogues of Klaipėda municipal educational institutions, according to which, pedagogues whose permanent place of residence is not in the city of Klaipėda and who commute to work at a distance of more than 15 kilometers can receive travel expenses compensation.
The city’s politicians also took steps to ensure that pedagogues choose vacant jobs in Klaipėda’s educational institutions. The funds of the 2023 state budget, intended to pay for the costs related to the optimization and renewal of the staff of Klaipėda City Municipality school teachers working in preschool, pre-school and general education curricula, were allocated to measures that would encourage a person to take up a vacant teaching position (commuting to work and back, to compensate for the costs of acquiring and improving qualifications, renting a living space, moving from another residential area). Incentive applications are still open.
This is just the first work. The greatest changes in the daily life of teachers are expected after the implementation of a complex plan of measures for pedagogues in accordance with the proposals of the trade union of managers of Lithuanian educational institutions of Klaipėda city municipality and identified problems and challenges faced by the entire educational community.
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#Klaipėda #teachers #funds #office #expenses
**Interview with Klaipėda City Mayor Arvydas Vaitkus on Education Funding Initiatives**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Vaitkus. It’s exciting to hear about the new budget allocations for teachers in Klaipėda. Can you elaborate on the significance of these funds for educators in your city?
**Mayor Vaitkus:** Thank you for having me. The allocation of €46.5 thousand from the Klaipėda City Municipality is not just about providing stationery; it symbolizes our commitment to education as a crucial foundation for our community. We understand that teachers need the right tools to foster a productive learning environment. By ensuring they have essential supplies, we aim to empower them in their vital roles.
**Interviewer:** That’s a great initiative. You mentioned that funds will not only be allocated this year but will continue into the next. How do you plan to ensure these funds are used effectively?
**Mayor Vaitkus:** The new procedure allows educational institutions to use the funds strictly for stationery necessary for teaching. We believe that with clear guidelines, the schools will utilize these resources effectively. Our objective is to create a strong support system for our teachers, recognizing their hard work and dedication.
**Interviewer:** I understand that this wasn’t always the case. The trade union of Lithuanian education workers had requested similar support previously without success. What changed this year?
**Mayor Vaitkus:** Yes, that is correct. Last year, under different leadership, the requests were not addressed. However, with my administration in place, we are actively listening to the needs and expectations of the educational community—teachers, parents, and trade unions. Education is a top priority for us, and fulfilling these promises is part of restoring trust and showing commitment to our educators.
**Interviewer:** Klaipėda is now joining other municipalities like Vilnius and Kaunas in providing funds for teachers’ needs. What other initiatives are planned to further support education in the city?
**Mayor Vaitkus:** We’ve recently approved a procedure to reimburse travel expenses for teachers commuting from outside Klaipėda, which is a significant concern for many. This is just one part of a broader package of positive changes aimed at enhancing the teaching profession in our city. We are committed to creating an environment where teachers feel safe, supported, and valued.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like Klaipėda is on the right path toward improving its educational system. Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
**Mayor Vaitkus:** I want to reiterate that our educational community is integral to our future. We are dedicated to supporting our teachers and ensuring they have everything they need to nurture the next generation. Together, we can make significant strides in education here in Klaipėda.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Vaitkus, for your insights and leadership in these important initiatives. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these changes will bring to the educational community.
**Mayor Vaitkus:** Thank you for having me! Together, we can achieve great things for our children and our city.
