Teacher salaries should increase regularly throughout the entire Government's term until 2020, said Education, Science, Research and Sport Minister Peter Plavčan (a Slovak National Party nominee) after his talks with Finance Minister Peter Kažimír (Smer-SD) on Tuesday. Plavčan told TASR that progress has been made towards introducing a document that would make it possible to usher in systemic changes in education. Nevertheless, the ministry hasn't specified the financial framework for the programme priorities. Teachers trade union boss Pavel Ondek stated that the Government Manifesto draft in education is currently in the form of a set of points with no added details. The final draft of the Manifesto is expected to be completed on Wednesday (April 6) before subsequently being submitted to Prime Minister Robert Fico.
On Tuesday the Slovak Teachers Association (ISU) held a peaceful march attended by about 400 people aimed at reminding the Education Ministry and Government that there's a need to deal with problems in education. A three-week-long strike that took place early this year gathered the support of 15,000 teachers at its peak. They demanded their salaries be increased this year by €140 per month and in 2017 by an additional €90. They also request additional investment in equipment in various schools worth €400 million, and changes in the system of continuing education.
Meanwhile the new Education Minister has been accused of wrongdoings dating back to the time when he was part of the leadership of the fund for student loans. On Wednesday opposition MP Miroslav Beblavy accused him of allowing the fund to loan €5.5 million to the private financial group Slavia Capital where his wife was on the management board. Plavčan denies any wrongdoings.
