The Education and Science Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine has expressed its dissatisfaction with the lack of monthly allowances for all education sector employees in light of significant salary increases for civil servants, judges, and prosecutors. The union submitted a corresponding appeal to the government and parliament following the government’s resolution of November 8, 2024, which provides for the establishment of monthly allowances only for teachers in general secondary education institutions.
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Unfair approach to educators
The union emphasizes that providing material support only to teachers in general secondary education institutions is unjust towards other categories of educators who also work under the difficult conditions of martial law. This includes preschool educators, teachers in extracurricular educational institutions, and those working in vocational, pre-higher, and higher education.
The union’s appeal states that all education workers are performing their duties under the same conditions of war, with constant air raid alerts, explosions, and the threat of combat actions. Meanwhile, the level of pay for many educators remains very low.
Low salary levels for various categories of teachers
One of the most concerning issues is the level of pay for preschool educators, whose salaries range from 6,400 to 8,500 UAH per month. Even lower salaries are given to heads of clubs and other teachers in extracurricular institutions, with wages ranging from 6,080 to 7,450 UAH.
Additionally, the union points out that pedagogical workers in vocational, pre-higher, and higher education institutions often fall outside the scope of the state allowance program, exacerbating the situation even further.
Unfair salary increases for specific categories
The trade union is also concerned about the significant salary increases planned in the 2025 budget for civil servants, judges, and prosecutors, which they consider to be unfair in comparison to educators. They believe this move does not align with the principles of equitable distribution of national wealth among citizens.
“Article 95 of the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees that the budget system should be based on the principles of fair distribution of national wealth among citizens,” the union representatives state.
Failure to meet legislative guarantees for education workers
The union also emphasizes the failure to meet the guarantees set out in Article 61 of the Law of Ukraine “On Education,” regarding the level of salaries for teaching and scientific-pedagogical staff. The Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution of July 10, 2019, No. 822, which was supposed to address this issue, has been postponed year after year.
In 2025, it is planned to freeze the salary level for education workers at the January 2024 level, further demonstrating the undervaluation of their work.
Issues with the implementation of allowances for teachers
A particular concern is the introduction of monthly allowances for teachers only in general secondary education institutions without corresponding regulation of such allowances within the overall salary structure. This results in the devaluation of the allowance for a significant number of educators.
The union notes that in order for this allowance to be implemented effectively, changes should be made to the procedure for implementing the budget program to ensure its fairness and effectiveness for all categories of educational workers.
Appeals to the government and parliament
In its appeal, the Education and Science Workers’ Trade Union calls on the government and parliament to review the government resolution and amend the budgetary policy to ensure equal conditions for all education workers. The union demands a fair distribution of budgetary funds that complies with the principles of the Ukrainian Constitution and international standards for equal pay for equal work.
The union also stresses the need for the development of effective support mechanisms for educators who are working in wartime conditions, performing an essential mission—ensuring the safety and development of children during this challenging period.
