Nov 1, 2007 3:40 PM
Some three-quarters of Bulgaria’s 100,000 teachers in state schools and nurseries rallied in downtown Sofia on Oct. 11 in the third week of a nationwide strike for higher wages and increased school funding. They are seeking a 100 percent pay increase and at least 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product for education. The right-of-center government is countering with the offer of a 15 percent wage increase, to start in January, and a second 15-percent increase in July. The two sides are closer on increased aid to schools. The government plans to spend 4.3 percent of GDP on education in 2008, up from 4.18 percent this year.
International Herald Tribune, Oct 12