Thousands of Romanian teachers protest government

Thousands of Romanian teachers and education staff have taken to the streets this week to protest against the government’s planned austerity measures in the education sector.

The demonstration, held in Bucharest on Wednesday, followed the approval of two austerity packages by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, aimed at reducing the country’s budget deficit.

The new measures include a 10% cut to the salary fund of public institutions. Teachers in Romania, a country of nearly 19 million people, have warned that they will go on strike if the measures are implemented.

“Funds allocated to the Ministry of Education have already been reduced by 600 million lei (€117.8 million). These measures are already in force. That is why we took to the streets — to prevent the Bolojan government from implementing a third austerity package,” one protester said.

Many demonstrators argue that the new decisions will have a serious impact on working conditions in schools and universities.

“For higher education and pre-university education, fees were increased and certain measures were applied last year. Now they say all of that amounts to nothing and must be cut again by 10%,” a protesting university staff member said.

Unions threaten strike action

The situation has also sparked comparisons with Ukraine, where education budgets have been increased.

“If a country at war increases teachers’ salaries and student scholarships, what explanation can a country that is not at war offer?” said Mihnea Costoiu, rector of the Polytechnic University of Bucharest.

“This shows that, at the most difficult moment of its existence, a country must invest in the people who can lead it out of crisis,” Costoiu told Euronews.

Three trade unions in the education sector are expected to announce this month whether they will strike in March or June. In addition, education unions have launched a petition campaign to support a citizens’ legislative initiative.

According to the unions, the initiative aims to repeal what they describe as anti-education measures adopted by the government. At least 100,000 signatures are required for the proposal to be submitted to parliament.

The draft budget containing the new measures is expected to be submitted to parliament by 20 February