Teachers from around Slovakia protest in Bratislava

More than 7,000 teachers and non-teacher employees in the educational system protested on Tuesday in Bratislava, due to disagreement with the Slovak government manifesto.

The protest, mainly in front of the government headquarters and the National Council, was organised by the Union of Workers in Education and Science in Slovakia (UWESS) with partnering organizations.

"Something is wrong in the Slovak education system and politicians should reconsider the amount of funds that are being invested," stated Pavel Ondek, leader of the UWESS.

The protesters disagreed with the 6 percent income raise a year, which was proposed by the new Fico government manifesto.

Education Minister Peter Plavcan notified the protesters and media that the 6 percent range is the minimum amount the government has set forward, as standard. He also mentioned that the goal is 26 percent.

The government manifesto, dealing with the education reform for the next four years, said that from Sept. 1 of this year until Jan. 1, 2018, wages in the education system should raise as mentioned.

The government is prepared to combine substantial internal reform with an annual raise of funds being sent into the sector, so it can reach the level of the EU average.