Post-quarantine school: those who want to quit the teacher’s job more than compensation funds

I work full of hands, but what will be the fruit? Many doubt its sweetness.

When asked how teachers will be paid for their work during the holidays, the president of the Lithuanian Union of Education and Science (LŠMPS) Egidijus Milešinas said that these decisions depend on a separate educational institution, the remuneration system, each case it is individual.

Teachers (don’t) have to do everything they are told

“The schools themselves establish specific rates for consultations. When generating annual income, the number of hours to be allocated must be clearly indicated. All this must be coordinated with the representatives of the employees, the works councils or the unions “, explained E. Milešinas.

It would seem logical, but where does the rumor come from that teachers feel pressured to give free consultations and exams? “I’m not saying everything is fine, each case is different. Much depends on what the teacher’s employment contract is, the annual hours structure, since everything was distributed in September. The situation is as follows: the school year is more short for twelfth grade students, the number of contact hours is less, but the total number of hours should not decrease after that, “said E. Milešinas.

According to him, that practice was established a long time ago: teachers must do everything they are told: “This is the wrong attitude. Teachers need to defend themselves, fight for their own rights and those of their colleagues. If they do what they are told each time and feel comfortable, but take no action, the situation will never change. “

Andrius Navickas, president of the Lithuanian Education Workers Union (LŠDPS), also emphasized that teachers have the right not to take exams: remuneration is not included in their staff.

“Everyone decides whether or not to participate in the evaluation and exams. Of course, the pressure from the employer is always felt. It is especially inconvenient if the school principal requests it,” he said, adding that in this way the principals have to get out of the situation: quotas are almost sent, how many should be sent to teachers.

You are not willing to risk your health.

Teachers often agree to the request. “However, the most resistant are not very inclined to comply with such requests, as far as I know, they have refused, both in Vilnius and Klaipeda. Not necessarily older, there are also younger people who do not want to risk their health,” he observed. A. Navickas in another respect.

Due to the pandemic situation, high school exams will be held at an unusual time. Some teachers go on vacation from St. John’s Day. R. Navickas doubts whether all teachers will agree to be removed from the license, and this is everyone’s right. “The ministry hopes to find volunteers of good will, but what it will really be like, we will see soon,” he said. “Perhaps employees of the ministry or education departments could take the exams?”

In accordance with the Labor Remuneration Law, bonuses of up to 30% are possible. pay per month for additional features. “All these possibilities are there, you just need to know what they are, from that school year and you must start. In September, the remuneration systems will be changed, regulated and approved,” he emphasized again.

However, the LŠDPS President recommended not to include exams and assessment hours in contracts. “It just came to our attention then. More than extra work, it is possible to negotiate an extra payment. And in September, negotiating what you will do in May or June is not very rational. Not everyone has signed, and others may not know if such a clause it’s in the contract, “he said.

Quarantine restrictions have reduced the ranks of educators.

Full-time pay was introduced two years ago. The goal of all this, according to E. Milešinas, is that teachers should have a fixed part of the staff at all times, even if the number of students and classes at the school is decreasing.

However, the president of LŠMPS revealed that he was aware that directors’ employment contracts change every year. “There is a big problem here, in the near future we will discuss it with the representatives of the ministry, we will make it public, we will solve it,” he promised.

According to E. Milešinas, the restrictions imposed during the quarantine on the work of teachers over 60 years, by assigning them to the “risk group” in schools, have significantly reduced the ranks of the latter: they are leaving the educational system completely.

During this period, many teachers quit their jobs and left the educational system, but A. Navickas was not surprised: “The job is not easy and the workload is even greater remotely, the situation is complicated. This apparently led to his determination to help the end point. “

However, the interviewee hoped that distance education would also bring positive adjustments: perhaps the teaching profession would be more valued, as the public saw how much effort was needed for education to take place.

Willing to quit teaching work more than fund funds

The signed collective agreement includes a clause that exclusively for teachers who leave the educational system, in other words, the dismissal compensation of 6 average wages can be paid when leaving work. This year, 1 million has been allocated for this. 200 thousand euros

Teachers have until May 31 to receive these benefits. the municipalities had to submit applications. Municipalities have already provided information to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (ŠMSM). According to E. Milešinas, it will take up to 5 million. euros That is four times more than what is allocated to this fund.

“One of the main reasons why so many teachers ask to be laid off is the recommendations published during the quarantine. Older teachers fear that they will not be able to work, so they are asking that the heads of institutions be fired by paying them severance pay.” said the interlocutor.

The other side of the problem is revealed: the need is four times greater than the financial resources allocated to the fund. “The government will have to make certain decisions on how it intends to get out of this situation,” said Milešin.

If educators drop out of schools at that rate, a bleak future awaits them. This is evidenced in the figures, the curve is increasing rapidly: in 2017, 3.2 million were allocated to this fund. euros At that time, more than half of the funds returned to the budget because it was not necessary. In 2018, around 3 million. The entire fund was used.

How much do teacher salaries differ?

One way or another, it is anticipated that this fund will be maintained in the future, as soon as negotiations to renew it begin. According to E. Milešinas, new criteria will be introduced, the use of funds will be expanded, because now not all employees can use them: they do not include educational support specialists and teachers from non-formal education institutions.

The initial appearance of the fund was to balance the number of teachers and students. But the further, the closer the situation is to a critical threshold. There is an increasing shortage of teachers each year. “If there is no significant progress (the average age of teachers exceeds 50 years), I do not even know who will work in the institutions after five years,” said the LSMS president on the issue relevant to the entire education system.

He acknowledged that negotiations are underway to increase teacher salaries and encourage young teachers. The government supported the proposal of the MESM to grant scholarships of 300 euros to pedagogy students.

Until now, the statistical salary of a full-time teacher with 10-15 years of experience and the qualification category of a methodologist is approximately 1346 euros (before taxes).

With a longer work experience and an expert qualification category, the salary of a full-time teacher is higher: it reaches 1587 euros.