The Free Trade Union of Education and Science of Ukraine published on its official website an appeal to the country's authorities with demands for an increase in the salaries of educators and pensions. The document also talks about the provision of textbooks for students of secondary schools, the situation of rural schools and the VET system.
Statement of the Free Trade Union of Education and Science of Ukraine:
We appeal to the authorities with the demand to comply with Article 57 of the Law of Ukraine "On Education", namely: the salary for teachers of general educational institutions should be at the level of industrial workers, and for teachers of higher schools - in double the amount.
Regarding pension provision, we appeal to the parliamentary Committee on Science and Education and the heads of factions with the demand to cancel the changes regarding the years of service of pedagogical workers. We also demand that changes in the Law of Ukraine "On Education" for secondary schools and preschool educational institutions be suspended until the political situation in Ukraine stabilizes.
We call on the Ministry of Education and Science to immediately provide primary and secondary school students with textbooks. We emphasize the inadmissibility of closing educational institutions in rural areas and insist on keeping class sizes at the level of standards established by current legislation. In no case do not resort to innovations regarding the size of groups in preschool educational institutions and classes of primary and secondary schools.
We draw your attention to the fact that the initial transfer of vocational and technical institutions from the subordination of education departments and regional state administrations to the auspices of local authorities will inevitably lead to their liquidation.
We hope that the echelons of power will eventually hear the voice of educators and listen to the specified requirements and recommendations.