site.btaPresident Radev Meets University Rectors Over Protest Threats

President Rumen Radev on Wednesday met with representatives of the Council of Rectors of higher educational establishments in connection with threats for protests in the sector. "If we want to develop as a modern European country based on democratic principles with high technologies in our industry and in every sphere of economy, with accelerated economic growth, with a higher standard of living for our population, the key is Bulgarian science and education," the head of State said.

The President expressed full support for their demands.

Earlier on Wednesday, it emerged that the caretaker Government will provide BGN 39 million for an increase of wages of academic staff in state universities as of January 1, 2024. This will allow the minimum wage to be increased by BGN 290 – from 1,810 BGN to 2,100 BGN. The increase will apply to 33 public higher education institutions with 2,086 assistants.

"Over the past three years, we have been subjected to a drastic reduction in the funds for higher education in relation to GDP. In 2021 these funds were 0.75% of GDP, last year - 0.7% and this year - 0.6%," said the Chairman of the Council of Rectors in Bulgaria Miglena Temelkova. So far, no Bulgarian university has received a single lev from the 39 million that are provided for in the 2024 budget, said Temelkova. 

The Council of Rectors of higher educational establishments in Bulgaria on Tuesday addressed an open letter to the President, to the caretaker Prime Minister, government ministers, the Bulgarian EU Commissioner, the National Ombudsman, the chairpersons of parliamentary committees and the floor leaders "in connection with non-fulfilment of commitments assumed by the State in the Higher Education Act".

The rectors demand an average salary for the teaching staff at State higher schools equivalent to not less than 180% of the gross average national wage and for a minimum basic salary for the lowest teaching position at State higher schools equivalent to not less than 125% of the gross average national wage.