Education and Science, Estonia, Wages

Haapsalu Gümnaasium.

Tõnis Lukas, the Minister of Education and Research of Estonia, is to propose some ways of guaranteeing teachers' wage hike. Besides, the many ask themselves the question if the purchase of laptops for teachers is a luxury in the current economic situation.

"Sometimes people think of it [a laptop] as of a kind of luxury. I think it is not so. Nowadays the laptop is like blackboard and chalk used to be before," Andres Ammas, the Director of Haapsalu Gümnaasium said.

In Viimsi School, nearly every teacher has a computer at home. They all have the option of using computer at school as well. Hille Eek, the Director of Studies at the school, said that all teachers won't get a laptop anyway. It is a luxury item in current situation.

"If all teachers are given a laptop, it is fair, but certainly not like this. In these times, it is actually a luxury item," Eek said.

According to Lukas, all costs in the ministry's management area were automatically cut by 7%. He would prefer to keep the salary rise and make savings on something else.