On Thursday in Sibiu, President Klaus Iohannis sent a message to parents, students and teachers and told them to trust that things will improve in the educational system, including the salary of teachers. The head of state added that he expected that there would be more discussions in the public space about the fact that the Parliament adopted the new education laws, in ordinary procedure. “I would very much like those who have been talking a lot lately about what we should do to note that we have taken steps and we will continue to do so,” said Iohannis.
“I have expressed myself on this issue, to the surprise of some, and I stand by my opinion: the teachers’ requests are well-founded. It is perhaps even a little difficult to understand and convey why teachers are a category that earns very little and, at the same time, offers everything to the community. A teacher also offers the person and the knowledge and the dedication to educate the young generation. At the same time, we must see that things cannot be corrected overnight. That’s why I think we need to see what can be done quickly and the Government has promised some issues that can be solved quickly, but we also need to see what can’t be done quickly, but there is political will to do these things. Then the negotiations must be conducted in such a way as to reach a common conclusion and an agenda. To know exactly when and what is feasible to do. Naturally, the unions always ask for a lot and, if possible, a lot of money. Although it is easy to understand – this is a problem that cannot be solved instantly, but my belief is that these issues will be solved in the not-so-distant future. I don’t want to say that in half a year, etc”, said Klaus Iohannis, asked on Thursday in Sibiu what message he has for parents, students and teachers, in the context in which he also made a joke when he invited the students to do a picture, telling them “You see, even the strike has some advantages”.
The head of state also said that he was surprised by the fact that those who organized the strike in education did not discuss the new Education laws adopted by the Parliament.
“On the other hand, I admit that I was a little surprised that none of those who organized the strike noted or pointed out that it was precisely during this period that the Parliament approved the new education laws. I would have expected, at least marginally, that these things would be mentioned. It is the first time, for a long time, that education laws are properly approved in Parliament, in ordinary procedure. There are many novelties in this legislation. It still has a bit to go before it can come to promulgation, but I am very satisfied that I have reached this stage through an absolutely normal procedure. So the Parliament understood the importance of these laws. I would very much like those who have been talking a lot lately about what we should do to note that we have taken steps and will continue to do so. To the teachers, parents, students, I say this: have faith, things will improve and the general context and the way the educational system will work. I am convinced that the salary of the teaching staff will also be improved, because we have to take this step in Romania”, President Iohannis added, according to News.ro.
President Klaus Iohannis and the president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, visited Sibiu on Thursday. Upon leaving the FDGR headquarters, the two heads of state were awaited by Carmen Iohannis, along with some of the students from her class.
Klaus Iohannis invited the students to take a photo and joked, telling them: “You see, even the strike has some advantages”, referring to the fact that they don’t have classes because of the teachers’ strike.
The president’s statement comes on the day when the education unions rejected the Government’s offer and announced the continuation of the general strike, and thousands of teachers took to the streets, in Bucharest and other cities in the country, to shout their demands.
Editor : R.K.
