Teachers’ salaries to reach 90 thousand dram

It is foreseen in the 2008 budget that 103.7 billion dram will be set aside for education, an increase by 17 billion dram over last year’s amount. This was revealed by Finance and Economy Vice-Minister Bavel Safaryan during discussions in Parliament. In his words, this amount is 2.95% of the year’s national budget, as opposed to last year’s 2.8%. Safaryan said this increase is part of the 2008-2010 social program.

The Vice-Minister also added that the average teacher salary would be 89.6 thousand dram, as opposed to the current 56.3 thousand dram. The salaries of administrative personnel are to increase more than twofold, to 136 thousand dram, compared to the current 60 thousand dram. The salaries of service personnel will increase to 25.4 thousand dram, a 10% increase.

As to financing science in Armenia, 6.8 billion dram has been allocated, compared to this year’s 5.9 billion dram. This amounts to .25% of the national budget. Safaryan said that this increase will be used to increase salaries, as the current 38 thousand dram becomes 50 thousand dram. Those with doctorates will also receive increases, as well as doctoral candidates.

We note that the permanent committee of the National Assembly will begin discussions on November 2. Before November 6, deputies and committee members must present their suggestions to the National Assembly, after which they will be sent to the government.