Teachers in Bratislava complain about salary and stress

It is a myth that Bratislava teachers would have easier than others, says analyst Michal Rehúš. Although children from the poorest families do not teach, they have to deal with other challenges.

In Bratislava is every tenth child alien, compared to the Slovak average, which is only 2.6 percent. Classes in Bratislava’s schools are larger, the Bratislava teacher at the first stage is in charge of an average of 21 children, for example, only 15 in the Nitra County.

In the capital, the teacher’s salary is below the level of local average wage, while in other regions it is exceeded by teachers’ salaries.

« Nine out of ten Bratislava teachers claim that their salary does not allow them to cover all the cost of living, » says Rehúš.

The situation and working conditions of teachers in elementary schools in Bratislava were assessed by the NGO of Educational Analyzes with the support of the capital.

Bratislava analysts also offered recommendations on how to explore the possibilities of providing housing or benefits in the opportunities of the city, such as transport or recreation.

The analysis also showed that most teachers experience high stress at work, and two -fifths of them claim that it worsens their mental health.

The city wants to focus on this area and 300 teachers of primary and primary art schools want to provide education focused on mental health, psychohygiene and burnout prevention.

In Bratislava they are transferring or leaving the most

Lack of teachers feel much more in Bratislava than elsewhere, they tell the ads on the Edujobs portal. “In Bratislava, there are up to three hundred ads for thousands of teaching cities, it is around 270 in the whole region,” says analyst Michal Rehúš.

In other parts of Slovakia it is radically less, offers are in tens, the nationwide average is about 60 offers per thousand teaching cities.

« The most lacking teachers of science subjects such as physics or mathematics is, » says Rehúš.

In the capital is also the largest turnover of teachers, the worst is Petržalka.

The main reason why Bratislava teachers do not stay in the profession are low salaries. Although it seems that teachers in Bratislava earn better than elsewhere, the average increases especially private schools. High costs, especially for housing in the capital, make teachers’ salaries are not enough.

The association obtained information from state data, focus groups and questionnaires. It found that almost a third of the teachers also had a different paid job.

« It’s a very low salary. If I didn’t have a boyfriend who earned well, I wouldn’t live. Last year I had a second job where I tutoring Ukrainian students at school. Now I canceled it now because I was no longer ruled, » the elementary school teacher told researchers.

What should be the compensatory allowance

To at least partially equalize regional differences in spending, the Ministry of Education under the leadership Tomáš Drucker It introduced from his voice and for the first time paid compensatory surcharges to teachers for the first time.

Their amount was particularly graduated according to how much pedagogical and professional staff earned in the given location compared to the average salary of other university educated workers.

In Bratislava last year, a contribution of EUR 145, in the remainder of the county was 85 euros, in the least developed regions of Slovakia 30 euros.

While in most regions the compensatory contributions were completely abolished by the Ministry to save the state in three locations (Bratislava Region, Trnava district and the City of Košice) only reduced them. In Bratislava at 130 euros per month, in the rest of the Bratislava County at 60 euros.

The teacher of the Elementary School for Research mentioned that the former colleagues from another district of her Bratislava surcharge envied. “I explained to them that for what the bank gave me as mortgageI would buy a three -room apartment with them, and in Bratislava I have a studio. ”

Most of the addressed Bratislava teachers think that the regional contribution should be EUR 300 to 500.

« The salary should reflect not only the abilities and experiences, but also the higher living costs of life. Based on my experience, I perceive that two thousand euros in gross should be a starting line for a novice teacher, » he said in an interview For SME teacher Michal Sivák.

I tram would also help

To make up for low salaries, the city could also have a different contribution to service such as transport or Sport.

« For example, I pay public transport. Why couldn’t I have free public transport as a student? » asks primary school teacher.

Bratislava spokesman Peter Bubla confirmed that the city is also discussing the possibility of introducing an annual subscription tram without paying for public elementary school teachers and the Music School in the capital.

Bratislava manages elementary art schools, elementary schools manage the city districts with which the city cooperates.

At the same time, in 2023 Bratislava adopted new conditions for the allocation of city rental apartments and a new category of apartments for people providing services in the public interest was created.

« Thus, these are apartments that are intended for households of employees who provide health care, social and other services in the public interest in Bratislava, including education, » says Bubla.

They focus on mental health

Teachers are also largely troubled by stress and emotional burden on their work. « The responsibility for pupils’ success is great, » says the analyst.

They are also stressed by representation and administration. More than half of the teachers complained about the noise of the environment.

« I have such a day on Monday that I have six hours, I have to supervise it. One will not manage to go to the toilet. And after lunch I have two more hours ring.

« In the class I have a Mexican, Afghan, Moldovan, full of Ukrainians who have been with us for a year or two months. This is difficult to handle, maybe a third of children do not understand me, » says the teacher.

Further education for teachers is also a burden on which they do not have good conditions and is expensive for them.

« We cover it all by ourselves. I will give 100 euros a month to educate. And I do it in my free time, that’s no longer nonsens, » says the teacher.

The city provides free continuous education for teachers and professional staff at regular Bratislava teacher conferences and in teacher clubs.