Hundreds of teachers from across the country gathered outside the Ministry of Education yesterday, Wednesday 7 November, to protest about policies and procedures contained in the General Education Law that have not yet been implemented.
They handed a document to the Minister of Education, Josefina Pimentel, which stated that the budget for 2013 should include a pay rise for teachers of RD$30,000 to RD$40,000 each, up to the same level as technical teachers, as teachers doing the same work had up to six different salary levels.
In addition they demanded improvements and increases in health insurance for teachers.
Their spokesperson, Maria Teresa Cabrera, said the fact that Ministry employees had been granted major pay rises, and the Minister herself had received an increase from RD$185,000 to RD$300,000, was a clear signal that the teachers should as well, as their basic salary is currently only RD$8,972 per shift a month. Many teachers teach two shifts to increase their income.
They stated that the protest was not affecting pupils as they had ensured their classes were being taught, although some did say that lessons had been suspended in their schools.
www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2012/11/7/254195/Maestros-del-pais-protestan-frente-al-Ministerio-de-Educacion