“We're all in the same boat, but there are leaks in the boat, and the money allocated is drizzling out somewhere and there's still not enough,” Vanaga said.
She admitted the problems were in calculations and “formulae” that have been inherited over time. In some municipalities, money is also allegedly distributed contrary to the provisions of the Cabinet regulations, for example, in the municipality of Rēzekne.
"The third level is the level of education institutions, where there is also not always transparency about financial flow – we miss something without saying that the number of pupils has fallen, we have forgotten about quality levels, or there are not so many children with special needs for whom money is given more. There are problems on all these three levels," Vanaga said.
The Union leader conceded that in October, similarly to September, some teachers would have lower pay. Monday, November 13, the Union will meet with representatives of the Ministry to address the issue. Vanaga also stressed that in the past the problem could not be identified, as so-called tariffs are introduced by mid-October.
“The real picture is only reflected in mid-October, which is not acceptable – [teachers] have been working a month and a half and only then learn the exact salary,” noted Vanaga.
Not all educators in all schools have had their pay cut. And the priority right now is to solve the pay of sports teachers where there is not enough money. “There's not even 90% of what's needed,” the Union leader added. “We see a way to get that money, continue to negotiate with politicians.”
