Romania now has more than 6,300 unqualified teachers — double the previous period — warns George Purcaru, vice-president of the Free Education Unions Federation (FSLI), on Prima News, news.ro reported.

“It is inadmissible if we want quality education,” Purcaru said, criticising Law 141’s effects: higher teaching norms, hourly-pay changes and overcrowded classes have hit teachers and pupils. Staff shortages are felt even in major university cities, where students end up teaching in schools.

Senator Ștefan Pălărie, chair of the Senate Education Committee, joined the debate. Both discussed politicisation of the system, contests for headteacher posts, pupil assessment, school violence and funding.

Pălărie argued merit and professional competence must outweigh party loyalty in appointments and cited cases where strong candidates were reportedly cut for refusing political allegiance. He proposed an expert body — recalling the National Corps of Educational Management Experts, which he said was devalued by lowered entry standards.

Purcaru said depoliticisation is a years-old promise never delivered: each political change brings new attempts to install loyalists. Headteacher posts are unattractive — it is hard to be both a strong classroom teacher and an effective school manager.

On assessment, Pălărie floated valuing more subjects and a possible national check in grade 6 for guidance. Both called for zero tolerance of violence and more specialists — school counsellors and psychologists. They also flagged rising university tuition, including increases of up to 70% noted by Pălărie.

Source: George Purcaru, FSLI: over 6,300 unqualified teachers (news.ro)