"We're sitting in the regions and we don't know." Teachers responded to a State Duma deputy's comments about the profession's prestige.
The first deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection spoke to journalists about increasing the prestige of the teaching profession. Tatiana ButskayaThe teachers were surprised and invited her to work at the school so that she could see this "prestige" in practice.
"We see the prestige of the teaching profession growing, and teachers' salaries becoming more respectable every year. Respect for the profession is reflected in how many students are going to educational institutions that will later lead them to their home school."- said Butskaya.
The issue was discussed in the VKontakte group "Teacher Jobs in Russia." Among the many reactions, there were even poems:
“Life will come,” they said, “a serene life.”
All the teachers will have a blast.
But the salary... But the salary is the same.
She didn't rise in status.".
"What Russia is this happening in? Television?" "This isn't a job, it's a sacred mission. They pay for their work, but teachers live on handouts." "Well, if a lady from Moscow said it, it must be true. We're stuck in the regions and have no idea about it.", said the teachers.
A primary school teacher at a school in the Central Federal District told NeMoskva why Butskaya's words seem like mockery.
"A young colleague's husband broke his leg and couldn't work for a long time. The family had to take out a loan to survive, because her salary only covers rent and a week's living expenses. Female teachers are either supported by their husbands or supplement their income by tutoring—which leads to sleep deprivation, irritability, and poor health. I personally would be embarrassed to talk about 'prestige.'", — the teacher said.
In August, teachers have asked The State Duma should raise the rate at least to the minimum wage (27 093 rub.): currently in the regions it varies from eight to 22 thousand rubles. Teachers recorded a video about their vacation pay, which can't last until October. Teachers are leaving schools en masse. At the beginning of the last school year, the country not enough about 100 thousand teachers only for elementary grades.
