site.btaThough Growing, Teachers' Pay Does Not Match Their Responsibilities, Poll Shows

Some 90.7% of respondents in a poll say that teachers' salaries in Bulgaria, though growing, are not high enough to match the responsibilities and obligations of the members of the profession. The teaching profession is associated with the highest levels of strain and often causes burnout, which makes the allegedly "high" pay rates not very tempting. Only 6.3% of those polled find that the salaries are motivating.

The nationwide survey was conducted by the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour to examine the social status of the teaching profession and the factors which draw people to it or put them off. It assesses the effectiveness of the government's education policy in attracting and retaining teachers, said Yulian Petrov, head of the Education Union within the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour. He added that the poll covered 4,150 teachers, parents and other stakeholders.

Petrov commented: "Education analysts have no doubt that the continuous rise in teachers' salaries is luring young people to work permanently in the education system. In stark contrast to these assertions, 81% of respondents in the poll say that salaries do not correspond to the growing obligations and responsibilities and the immense burnout. This alienates young teachers. The average age of teachers in Bulgaria has not changed tangibly over the last five years."

The trade union leader noted that only 19.5% of interviewees see opportunities for teachers' career growth in the education system. The rest are convinced that vertical career growth is off limits to teachers.

Petrov went on to say that, internationally, methodological support for teachers is a priority in leading education systems. In Bulgaria, 76.4% of educators cannot rely on methodological assistance from regional education departments, which lost the expert resources for that long ago.

The Education Union insists that teachers should be paid 150% of the average gross salary in Bulgaria to ensure that the profession receives a decent rating and can attract young people to work in it. Beginning teachers should have opportunities for horizontal and vertical career growth. Efforts should be made to prevent aggressive behaviour and boost compliance with school rules, which should include measures against parents who refuse to cooperate.

The learning material should be diminished, and schoolbooks should weigh less. The absurd situation where a regional education department chief, a regional or national expert earns less than a headteacher should be remedied. Teachers should have authority, the union says.