Universities protest, despite the provided additional funding of 80 million BGN

The caretaker cabinet provided nearly 80 million BGN additional funding for the salaries in state universities. However, today, May 20, the doors of 44 universities remained closed for students' classes. The scheduled examinations were not cancelled.

Empty halls, universities with no students and no classes. This is how today's protest went.

"The protest is in practice symbolic. The administration is working, the lecturers are in place, all necessary activities are being carried out. Everything that is necessary as a commitment on this day is carried out, the process in higher education institutions is not stopped," said Prof. Dr. Evgeni Stanimirov, Rector of the University of Economics in Varna.

But they made specific demands for real measures, long-term commitments and their implementation.

"Our voice must be heard. I think there must be sustainability", explained Prof. Dr. Evgeni Stanimirov, Rector of the University of Economics in Varna.

"The Bulgarian state does not have an adequate policy on attracting foreign students and exporting higher education abroad. Universities have closed their doors because it is time to understand that higher education is not a beggar. Our demands are not just about salaries," said Prof. Miglena Temelkova, chairwoman of the Council of Rectors.

On Friday, 39 million BGN additional funding for salary increases for teaching staff in state higher education institutions was ordered by the education ministry to universities. Thus, the minimum salary for the lowest academic position is increased by BGN 290. An additional nearly BGN 41 million has been earmarked for the administration of higher education institutions, funds will be allocated to reduce the disparity in the salaries of teaching staff, as well as for PhD scholarships.

"The policy for the development of higher education is important for us. Salaries are a function of this policy," said Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivaylo Koprev, Rector of the Mining and Geological University "St. Ivan Rilski".

The trade unions did not join the protest today but remain on standby.

"We have an agreement with 6 political forces, whoever comes to the Parliament will actually comply with the already existing legal requirements and we will look together with them as the government, as the executive, for opportunities where these funds can be found," clarified the chief assistant Ilian Dobrev at the University of Food Technologies - Plovdiv, CITUB.

On 24th of May, (when Bulgaria celebrates the Day of Bulgarian education, culture and Slavic writing), the university teachers will join the processions with protest ribbons to show the society again that urgent measures are needed.

Universities threatened to close doors in protest, government urgently allocated funds