The Ministry of Education believes that the state school teachers' demand for higher salaries is currently too high. Teachers want their salaries to match the Estonian average wage. This was discussed with the Minister of Education a week ago.
Raino Liblik, head of the state schools department, said that this was only the beginning of negotiations. He stated that the teachers' demand is too high and is not realistic at the moment.
Kristjan Rühl, the chairman of the new teachers' union, spoke about salary disparities. State school teachers receive lower salaries than municipal school teachers. He wants state school teachers not to receive lower pay.
The size of classes was also discussed. Teachers in schools with smaller classes have less work. But teachers should not receive lower pay because of this. Raino Liblik said that class size is important. There is more work in larger classes.
A new teachers' union was created to represent state school teachers. Previously, teachers' unions mainly discussed matters with municipalities.
Negotiations will continue in November. The ministry does not yet have a specific offer, but a smaller salary increase is being considered.