Teachers in Bulgaria are officially in strike readiness due to the expected "education budget" for 2026. This is stated in a position by the "Education Syndicate" at "CT Podkrepa", distributed to the media. According to the organization, the tension in the system is "palpable", and in the absence of dialogue with the Ministry of Finance, there is a "real danger" that it will escalate into a national strike and even a "failure to start the school year".
Survey: 96% consider salaries unfair
The "Education" Syndicate summarizes the results of a national survey among more than 6500 teachers, employees, principals, and staff working in "RUO" (Regional Departments of Education) and "MON" (Ministry of Education and Science). Of them, 88% are women, and the largest share of respondents are over 50 years old – a telling fact about the "aging profile" of pedagogical staff in our country. 91% of participants are pedagogical specialists, the rest – administrative and expert personnel.
The data is categorical: "96%" of respondents believe that wages in the secondary education system "do not correspond" to the volume and responsibility of their work. Only "2.8%" believe that the pay is adequate. The government's idea to link teacher salaries to student results meets almost complete rejection – "97%" of respondents are against such a model.
Strike readiness: 92% would join a protest
Regarding readiness for protest actions in the absence of an increase in remuneration, the syndicate reports "extremely high mobilization". "92%" of participants state that they would participate in protests in support of the demands for higher salaries.
Several forms of pressure have been discussed. "71.1%" of respondents declare readiness to participate in a "national strike". The option of "not starting the 2026/2027 school year" is also gaining wider support – "53%" state that they would join such an initiative. In parallel, many support participation in "one-hour warning protests", rallies, and various forms of "civil disobedience".
Discrepancy between promises and reality
The syndicate emphasizes that the tension is rooted in the "obvious discrepancy between words and deeds" of the ruling authorities. The "Progressive Bulgaria" program stipulates maintaining the remuneration of pedagogical specialists at the level of "125% of the average gross monthly salary" (AGMS) – the same commitment is also written in the "Collective Labor Agreement" for the "Secondary Education" sector.
In practice, however, according to union data, salaries in the sector are "about 115% of the AGMS". To achieve the agreed threshold, a "minimum 10%" increase is necessary. The "Education Syndicate" points out that not only the lack of dialogue on this issue but also the "inadequate" involvement of the topic of salaries in the debate about low student results further amplifies dissatisfaction.
Salaries and results: two different disputes
The position emphasizes that the ruling authorities "unprofessionally and dishonestly" link teacher salaries to the "unsatisfactory results" of students. According to the syndicate, these are "two completely different debates".
The teacher's own contribution, deficits in upbringing and the weak engagement of parents, the lack of reform in educational content, problems in the learning environment, as well as "overcrowded groups and classes" are factors that cannot be ignored. Politicians, the text states, "link" low results, functional illiteracy, and lack of motivation with teacher salaries, instead of acknowledging the responsibility of the "liberal model" introduced by their decision.
Criticism of the Ministry of Finance and the withdrawal of funds
A particularly strong reaction was caused by the decision of the Minister of Finance "Galab Donev" to withdraw "unspent funds" from the accounts of about 300 schools until the adoption of the new budget – a process that could be delayed until September. The syndicate defines this move as "a clear demonstration that Bulgarian education is becoming a necessary evil".
The position notes that in the modern history of Bulgaria, politicians have "delayed decisions and payments", but "have never touched" funds intended for the education of children. The Ministry of Finance's official explanation – "For more effective management of public spending" – is defined as a "masterpiece of political populism". According to the syndicate, state school principals are "shocked", and continuing such an attitude will lead to "adequate union actions".
Financing: 4.9% of GDP and the demand for 6%
According to "Education Syndicate" data, funds for education for 2025 were "4.9% of GDP". The organization states that it will insist that this percentage "be maintained" in the 2026 budget, and that a "strategy for reaching 6% of GDP for education" be developed in the medium term.
The syndicate formulated several specific proposals: immediate "restoration of funds" to Bulgarian schools; maintenance of the GDP percentage for education at the 2025 level; "compliance with the program" of PB (Progressive Bulgaria) and the national CLA (Collective Labor Agreement) for income growth in the system; a clearly defined path toward 6% of GDP. The organization emphasizes that it will "resolutely uphold" the need for an "honest and professional dialogue" on the financing of education.
Strike and failure to start the school year as a real scenario
In conclusion, the "Education Syndicate" warns that "the tension in the system is palpable" and that in the absence of dialogue on the part of the Ministry of Finance, "there is a real danger" that it will grow into "strike actions" and a "failure to start the school year". The survey data show that teachers feel "undervalued", reject "new proposals" for evaluating their labor, and demonstrate readiness for "radical union actions".
Against this backdrop, the question of whether the 2026/2027 school year will start as planned no longer seems purely theoretical. The answer will depend on whether the government proposes a "realistic and honest" plan for financing education – and whether this time the promises made to teachers will be fulfilled not just on paper.