Komsomolskaya Pravda: “Putin seeks increased salaries for teachers”
Putin is continuing his working meetings with regional governors.
Last weekend, the prime minister met with Shevelyov, who took office in early July after Dmitry Zelenin's resignation.
"It has been almost two months since you took office," Putin said. "What has been done and what do you think are the region's key challenges?"
"We will overcome the aftermath of the financial crisis," Shevelyov assured Putin. "This assessment is based on the statistics for the first six months of the year." The governor gave several figures to show that the situation in the industrial sector is stabilising and the unemployment rate is gradually falling.
"The second task is the healthcare modernisation programme that you have announced (Editor's note: The governor referred to a new regional social project that the prime minister announced in spring 2011)," he added. "Over the three years that we will receive the funds, our key challenge will be to distribute them properly. This year we will receive 1 billion 183 million roubles."
Putin nodded in consent.
Teachers' salaries are a regular item on the agenda at such meetings.
"We have fulfilled the directive with a 30% hike in teachers' salaries by Sept. 1. Yet, I hope that we will bring them up to the average wage level (Editor's note: The average regional wage level) within three years," Shevelyov said.
"Three years is a bit too long," the prime minister said, shaking his head.
"The 30% hike being introduced is a considerable increase," Shevelyov said. "Starting from Sept. 1, the regional budget stipulates 183 million roubles for this."
"Starting from Sept. 1, 2011?" Putin asked.
"Next year it will amount to 21%," the governor replied. "We plan to make further raises, while taking into account the regional budget."
"I still think that three years is a little too long," the prime minister repeated. "Look into it, consult with your colleagues."
"I will," the governor agreed.
This likely means that the Tver Region, like many other regions, will seek funding to increase teachers' salaries as much as possible in the near future.
Alexander Gamov
