Romanian education associations demonstrate against budget cuts, hint at potential school strike
Romania's Education Crisis: Austerity Measures Spark Widespread Protests
Romania's education sector is in turmoil, with teachers and education trade unions protesting against austerity measures introduced under Law 141/2025. The measures, which came into force on August 1, 2025, have prompted four consecutive days of protests in front of the Ministry of Education and Research.
The key contested measures include an increase in teachers' weekly workload by two hours, merging many schools, cutting hourly pay rates, expanding administrative duties for school staff, and keeping per-student funding unchanged despite rising costs.
Teachers warn that these changes degrade working conditions, threaten jobs among auxiliary staff, and compromise education quality and research funding. The changes may also lead to deeper underfunding in higher education by keeping per-student allocations unchanged.
In response, over 30,000 union members plan to participate in a nationwide "Education Rally" on September 8, the first day of the academic year. The rally is a response to the austerity measures and unions have threatened to boycott the start of the 2025-2026 school year if the government does not reverse these reforms.
The teachers have warned they may boycott the autumn Baccalaureate exams and block the start of the school year. The union leaders argue that these changes will trigger layoffs among auxiliary and administrative staff, and they continue to call for the resignation of Education Minister Daniel David.
Despite meetings between union leaders, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, and Education Minister Daniel David on August 11, no agreement was reached. The government argues that the measures align with budget constraints and European teaching hour norms, but unions remain dissatisfied and continue protests demanding repeal of the law or ministerial resignations.
The situation remains tense, with mobilization continuing into September and the education sector facing uncertainty over the school year's timely start and quality.
- The education-and-self-development sector in Romania is experiencing significant unrest, as teachers protest against recently implemented austerity measures in politics that have impacted the quality of education.
- Amidst the ongoing crisis in Romania's education sector, general news reports highlight heated debates between union leaders and political figures over the future of education funding, with concerns over higher education being particularly prominent.
