Jakšta, who came to meet the striking teachers, was greeted by only a few dozen teachers
With a small group of strike participants who were still lurking near the Government, Mr. Jakštas discussed raising teachers’ salaries, updated educational programs and other problems facing the teaching community.
“There was no separate invitation. My schedule had me arriving at 2pm. , because they were informed that they would be on strike for the whole day. I didn’t know when the break was planned,” explained G. Jakštas.
“The financial space in the negotiations is really gone. From what we proposed at the first meeting with the unions to what we proposed at the last one, it was an increase in funds of roughly 60-70 million. euros. We have done everything possible for next year’s budget”, G. Jakštas told reporters on Friday in the square near the Government.
However, the minister pointed out, he still sees opportunities to reach an agreement with the striking teachers.
“I hope we can still reach an agreement. If I didn’t think like that, I wouldn’t be here today, I wouldn’t talk to the teachers,” said G. Jakštas.
The organizers of the event themselves testified that they had not been informed about the minister’s arrival.
On Friday, the striking teachers and their supporting students started a march from their educational institutions all the way to the Government House.
Since Friday, Vincos Kudirka Square has been organizing various discussions, as well as classes to support teachers for visiting students.
According to the permit issued by the Vilnius City Municipality, rallies near the Government House can be held every day from September 29. until October 28, they can be attended by up to 2,000 people.
Did not agree with the proposals
In the absence of an agreement on the faster increase of teachers’ salaries, Trade union of Lithuanian education workers (LŠDPS) announced at the end of August that it was going on strike. September 15 unionized teachers have already participated in a warning strike.
The trade union of education workers led by A. Navickos demanded to raise teachers’ salaries by 20 percent this year. They are also asking for an additional 30% salary increase from January next year. In this case, the total wage growth would reach 56 percent.
The proposal presented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports in September to raise teachers’ wages by 21 percent next year, with a 10 percent salary increase from January, did not satisfy the education workers’ union. According to A. Navicki, teachers’ salaries should be raised significantly more.
In addition to salary increases, LŠDPS has also expressed the need to reduce the number of students in classes and the workload of teachers.