On Wednesday, a new agreement was signed regarding the salaries of state school teachers. Starting from September 1st, state school teachers will receive at least 2070 euros per month. Teachers at other schools will receive 1970 euros, which is 100 euros less.
According to the new agreement, a teacher's workload must fit into 35 hours per week. Primary school teachers usually work 21 hours per week. High school teachers teach 21 courses per year. Mathematics and Estonian language teachers work less—18 hours per week or 18 courses per year.
Education Minister Kristina Kallas said she wants a 14% salary increase for all teachers by next year. Then the minimum salary would be 2246 euros. The Teachers' Union wanted a 17% increase so that the salary would be equal to the country's average wage.
The head of the Teachers' Union, Reemo Voltri, said that 2246 euros would help retain teachers in schools. The next salary negotiations will take place on September 9th.
The Teachers' Union now has the right to strike. They were dissatisfied with teachers' salaries. The state mediator could not bring the parties to an agreement. Now, a disagreement protocol has been drawn up.