Hundreds of teachers gathered on Monday, the first day of school, after 10:30 a.m. in Victory Square, Bucharest, at a protest rally organized by the Free Trade Union Federation in Education (FSLI), the “Spiru Haret” Federation of Education Unions, and the “Alma Mater” National Federation of Trade Unions. By 12:10 p.m., the number of protesters had grown to several thousand. They set off in a march towards the Cotroceni Palace, where they were scheduled to meet with President Nicușor Dan. Teachers are “deeply dissatisfied” with the Government’s “constant refusal” to repeal provisions from Law 141/2025. They demand the cancellation of austerity measures, including increasing the number of pupils per class, reducing the hourly teaching rate, raising the teaching workload by two hours, and cutting certain categories of student scholarships. Organizers announced that more than 30,000 teachers were expected at Monday’s protest.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m. The teachers protesting Monday in the Capital against austerity measures have arrived at Cotroceni Palace. A delegation is expected to meet with President Nicușor Dan.

One protest participant at the head of the march carried a cross on his shoulders with photos of Daniel David, Ilie Bolojan, and Nicușor Dan attached, alongside a sign reading: “The gravediggers of education.”

UPDATE 1:20 p.m. The teachers’ protest march continues across Basarab Bridge, heading toward Cotroceni Palace, where they will meet the president.

Union leaders claim that government austerity measures have cut teachers’ salaries by 15–25%, amounting to what they call a “disguised salary reduction.” They are determined to continue protesting in the coming days in front of the Government and the Ministry of Education and Research, threatening to block activity. Union leaders clarified, however, that this does not mean they will stop showing up at school, but that they will not teach.

“We will show up at school, take in the children, talk to them about other topics, but avoid teaching. Parents should not worry, their children will be supervised. We want quality education. It’s a form of sabotage, just like in the justice system – we go to work, but we do not carry out teaching,” explained one union leader.

UPDATE 12:10 p.m. The protesters set off toward Cotroceni Palace chanting: “Resign!”, “Wake up, Romania!”, “Thieves!”, and “Repeal!”

Traffic restrictions were imposed along the protest route: Nicolae Titulescu Boulevard – Basarab Underpass – Grozăvești Road – Cotroceni Palace.

At the head of the march, protesters unfurled a giant banner reading: “No austerity in education!” Demonstrators shouted anti-government slogans, demanding the resignation of Daniel David as well as the entire Ilie Bolojan Government. Among the chants: “Down with the lying minister!”, “Down with the Bolojan Government!”, and “Without education, every nation dies!”

At this time, traffic is blocked on boulevards leading to Calea Victoriei and Kiseleff, and partially restricted on Nicolae Titulescu Boulevard toward Basarab Underpass.

INITIAL REPORT Protesters, who came from all over the country, carried flags, balloons, vuvuzelas, and placards aimed at the Government and especially Education Minister Daniel David, whose resignation they demanded, calling him responsible for the “chaos” in education. They also demanded the rollback of austerity measures that, in their view, dramatically worsen the situation in schools.

“The biggest deficit is the education deficit,” “Cut from yourselves, not from us!”, “Education is not only for the rich,” “Students can’t live on applause,” “More hours, wounded schools,” “Tired teachers, disadvantaged pupils,” “You have budgets, we have worries” were some of the messages on the placards.

Teachers said that students did not suffer on the first day of school, as they were welcomed into classrooms by teachers and administrative staff. They noted that already during the summer, when protests were held in front of the Ministry of Education, they had requested “dialogue” with Minister Daniel David, believing that “dialogue is the basis of everything, the basis of education.”

Teachers are protesting against overcrowding and school mergers, increased class sizes, a two-hour increase in teaching workload (which they argue lowers education quality), cuts to certain student scholarships, and the reduction of hourly teaching pay from 60 lei to 22 lei.

“We don’t need exhausted teachers. It’s the start of a troubled school year, one where we cannot talk about proper conditions in education. No teacher will ever dare neglect children,” said one protesting teacher.

Students and university students also joined the protest.

Union leaders criticized Education Minister Daniel David, saying that “not even at the eleventh hour does he recognize the serious problems caused by hasty government decisions.”

“Mr. Minister, admit publicly that you have created chaos in education and resign with honor!” the unions demanded.

In a press release on Sunday, the unions apologized to citizens affected by traffic blockages caused by the march from Victory Square to Cotroceni.

President Nicușor Dan announced he would meet with union leaders at Cotroceni at 1:30 p.m.

At the same time, unions asked civic associations and political groups not to join their protest, insisting they did not want the “legitimate” action of education workers to be “instrumentalized or turned into a platform for political or other interests.”

“We want our messages and demands to remain clear and unaltered. Our action is strictly professional, concerning only the rights of education employees and the interests of the education system,” the press release stated.

The unions also appealed to students and parents “to understand the importance of this struggle” and support them, as “the future of young generations in the education system is at stake.”

“Please do not blame us for the decision to boycott the first day of school,” they added.

On the other hand, Education Minister Daniel David said that school “belongs first and foremost to children,” stressing he expected pupils and parents to be present on Monday.

“Beyond various grievances, agreements or disagreements about union actions, teachers have, not just legally but morally, a duty toward their students, and as I know them, I am convinced they will fulfill it,” David stated.

While unions speak of teachers’ “non-negotiable dignity,” few people within the system dare to speak personally about what is happening in pre-university education at the start of the new school year. Most school principals have remained silent, knowing that any statement would upset someone, one teacher explained off the record.

Teachers remain unhappy about the increased workload, which they say effectively means a 10–20% “hidden cut” to their incomes.

“Therefore, the so-called great education reform means fewer resources, lower incomes, and more frustrated people!” concluded the FSLI.

Written by Andreea Unturica |  8 septembrie 2025, 11:12