Prime Minister Vasile Tofan went to meet teachers protesting in Chisinau’s Great National Assembly Square on Wednesday, August 19, telling them that the state budget currently does not allow salaries to be increased to the level they are demanding. The prime minister acknowledged the difficult financial situation but pledged that the Government would take measures to identify additional funds and improve conditions in the education sector.
“I will not be populist and tell people what they want to hear. The reality, dear teachers, is that the budget situation is bad. I want to say this directly,” Tofan said.
The prime minister told the protesters that he understood their dissatisfaction and even their anger, but explained that any increase in spending must have a source of funding.
“When we allocate one leu in one direction, we have to understand where we are taking it from,” he said.
Tofan noted that, in addition to education, the Government is also facing funding requests from farmers, road and infrastructure workers, the healthcare sector and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“In all sectors, we have to take courageous measures and make the public sector more efficient. There is room for greater efficiency in education as well. In order to pay better salaries, we need to continue the courageous measures initiated by Mr. Perciun,” Tofan said.
Tofan also defended Education Minister Dan Perciun, saying that he is one of the ministers who pushes hardest for funding for education.
“I don’t know another minister — and I’m telling you this as prime minister — with whom it is so difficult for me [during budget discussions] as Mr. Perciun. When we have internal meetings and everyone is fighting for the budget, he shouts the loudest. He is the most aggressive, in a good sense, and he fights for you,” Tofan said.
Education Minister Dan Perciun, who was also present at the protest, was booed by the crowd.
“We have achieved certain things together and we need to continue. We are a country where education is very important, and in recent years we have fulfilled several of the demands that were put forward. We need to continue this momentum. In 2026, we are facing an exceptional situation that does not meet your expectations. We will try to find solutions that will allow us to honor our commitments,” the minister said.
Authorities announced that the Government would present a package of measures addressing the teachers’ demands at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Hundreds of teachers from several districts, education sector employees and trade union representatives gathered outside the Government building earlier on Wednesday to demand higher salaries for teaching and auxiliary staff.
The participants signed a resolution expressing dissatisfaction with current salary levels and calling for education workers to be compensated with “decent and motivating” incomes. According to the protesters, a decent salary is a right, not a privilege.
Teachers are demanding that the Government honor its commitment to increase salaries starting September 1 and clearly include the increase in the relevant legislation. They are also calling for a substantial pay rise to make the teaching profession more attractive and help retain employees in the education system.