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Latvian gov't green lights teachers' wage reform

Xinhua, July 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

As of Sept. 1, 2016, teachers' wages will be gradually raised in Latvia under a comprehensive reform plan approved by the government on Tuesday.

The government has yet to reach an agreement with the teachers' union on social support for those teachers who will be laid off as some schools will the either closed or merged in the course of the reform.

"These are the rules, the first step that has been taken towards higher quality requirements, optimization of the school network and creation of a sustainable education system," Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The planned pay raises for the teachers will require additional 9 million euros (9.97 million U.S. dollars) in this year's budget, 47.2 million euros next year, 52.5 million euros in 2018 and 56.2 million euros in 2019.

The reform plan, which was approved after a heated debate, provides for raising the minimum monthly wage for teachers in secondary education from 420 euros to 680 euros this year.

Teachers' wage scales, however, will directly depend on the decisions taken by local authorities and school principals. Local authorities are expected to build a school network based on the existing economic and demographic situation, migration trends, as well as principles of accessible and modern education.

Subsidies for teachers' wages will be increased by up to 20.9 percent in more than 105 municipalities across Latvia in line with the reform plan. Endit