The trade union federations in education report that the protests triggered during the simulations for the National Assessment will continue next week, when the simulations for the Baccalaureate exam are scheduled. In a joint statement, the leaders of FSLI and FSE “Spiru Haret” state that the protest actions are a direct consequence of the lack of reaction from the Government.
“The main reason why we resorted to the protest not to participate in these simulations is clear to all of us: the Government continues to ignore our demands”it is stated in the document signed by the College of FSLI leaders and the College of FSE leaders “Spiru Haret”.
Unions say they can no longer accept that “education only works on the basis of sacrifice and the unpaid or undervalued work of teaching staff”.
Allegations of bullying in schools
Teachers’ representatives state that in some educational units there were attempts to counter the protest through improvised administrative measures:
“I witnessed desperate maneuvers by people temporarily in management positions, who changed exam centers overnight or improvised committees“, support the unions, who believe that these actions “they were not taken in the interest of the students, but exclusively out of the desire to mask the real scale of the protest in front of public opinion”.
The federations send thanks to the union members who supported the protest.
“The signature of each of you was an act of responsibility towards our profession“, the release states. A special appreciation is addressed to the teachers in the schools where the simulations did not take place at all: “When a chancellery is united, no pressure can break solidarity.”
Call for the continuation of the protest at the Baccalaureate simulations
The unions call on the teaching staff to remain mobilized in the next period as well.
“Dear colleagues, our fight must not stop here! Next week there are simulations for the Baccalaureate Exam, a new test of judgment our. We appeal to all fellow teachers, union members, who would must be involved in these simulations: stay united and stand your ground! Not give in to intimidation! Don’t be divided! Our rights are not negotiated on our knees, but won through struggle and solidarity. Stand by each other, report any form of abuse to union leaders and remember that strength lies in unity “, it is also shown in the message.
Messages to students and parents
The unions emphasize that the protest is not directed against the students.
“Dear students, our protest is not against you, but against the measures that are destroying the Romanian school. Overcrowded classes, lack of investment and funding cuts directly affect your chances of a quality education. We are taking this extreme step today, so that we can offer you the school you deserve tomorrow”
Parents are told that complaints should be directed to the authorities, not to the teachers.
“We are fighting for the correct financing of the Romanian school”, states the federations, adding that “as long as the teachers are humiliated by the governors, the students will suffer along with us”.
