Teacher protests that have been ongoing for months in Mongolia have finally yielded results. The government has agreed to significantly increase the salaries of education workers.
AzEdu.az reports, based on information obtained from a foreign source, that after long-term negotiations between the Federation of Education and Science Workers (FMESU) and the government, an agreement has been reached to increase teachers' basic salaries by approximately 50 percent. This decision is considered the result of a 13-week widespread strike and public pressure. Teachers stated that years of stagnant salaries and difficult working conditions compelled them to take this step.
Representatives of the Federation noted that this increase is not only a financial matter but also an indicator of the public value given to teachers' labor. According to them, although education workers have played a significant role in Mongolia's social and economic development in recent years, their salary levels did not keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.
During the protests, tens of thousands of teachers in various regions of the country suspended classes and held marches in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Students and parents also supported these actions. As a result, the government committed to increasing the budget allocated to the education sector and raising teachers' salaries in stages.
Education International called this agreement “a victory for labor solidarity.” The organization stated that this event in Mongolia could serve as an example for other countries, especially in regions where teachers' social protection is weak.
Experts believe that the salary increase will strengthen motivation in the education system, encourage young people to show interest in the teaching profession, and directly impact the quality of teaching in the country.
