Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Teachers in Bulgaria ready to go on strike, demand pay rise

Photo: BGNES, archive

77 per cent of those employed in Bulgaria's secondary education system are ready to go out on strike demanding a pay rise in the sector, according to a national survey by Podkrepa trade union. Half of those surveyed are in favour of a nation-wide effective strike, around 25 per cent favour national and regional rallies, and over 20 per cent favour a failure to complete the first term of the school year.

Teachers are demanding a 21% pay rise, which would guarantee them 125% above the national average gross wage, Yuliyan Petrov, chairman of the Education trade union at the Podkrepa trade union, told BNR.

"A young teacher currently receives a salary of BGN 1,445 (€738.8), which is indicative that even if young people become teachers, they will not stay with the numerous duties," the trade unionist said. 

Thus, if salaries are not increased, the average age in the Bulgarian education system - currently over 52 - will rise even further.



Read also:


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM