"During the past few years, the budget for the education increased from 3.8 to 5% of the GDP, then from 5 to 6%. All the money went to investments, not to salaries. A 700 RON wage discourages any young graduate who would consider getting a job in Education", said Romania president Traian Basescu on Tuesday evening, after the Government decided to postpone the 50% raise for teachers until April 2009.
Basescu's main statements, in brief:
- I don't want to make a polemic statement. The Education system is a priority. International evaluations indicate that the education system in Romania is depreciating;
- The Education Ministry budget increased from 3.8 to 5% of the GDP, then from 5 to 6%. All the money went to investments, not to salaries. A 700 RON wage discourages any young graduate who would consider getting a job in Education;
- The Education system shows resistance to reform, the fact that we now have a reform strategy is a huge gain;
- In 2007, when the pensions increased, the Prime Minister also said that the Economy will crumble. Those people saw Justice done. The same phrase is spoke again now, with the teachers' wages, There is money, but the problem is about priorities;
- Last week, I had on the table the law for a 21-37% wage growth for doctors. I don’t accuse this fact, I just say that if it was possible in the health care system, it must be also possible in education;
- Why wasn't the law for all budgetary personnel salaries put up? I asked for one two and a half years ago;
- If the Prime Minister invokes the apocalypse as a result of the teachers' wages increase, how is it possible to have the raise impossible in October, but plausible in April?;
- Education and Health are a priority for
