Some teachers of humanitarian subjects had previously expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out that their salaries are lower than those of colleagues teaching natural science subjects (STEM). They raised the issue of differences in coefficients, which, in their opinion, created a "division into ranks" between subjects, despite the similarity in workload and requirements for teachers.
“Humanities teachers are asking for salary increases by making the coefficients for all subjects the same. Because the coefficients for humanitarian subjects are low. Meanwhile, the coefficients for exact sciences are high, which results in unequal salaries.
Moreover, due to the reduction of hours for some subjects, salaries have decreased. For example, in the framework of 12-year education, the lesson of the Kyrgyz language was reduced, and instead, chemistry was introduced for 7th grades. The Kyrgyz language could have been kept, and chemistry could have been introduced as a separate subject,” said the Kyrgyz language teachers.
According to the district education department, starting in April, the salary increases for teachers of general education schools and staff of preschool institutions will be based on the following coefficients:
Primary school teachers (grades 1-4):
General secondary education: 2.45;
Secondary vocational education: 3.50;
Higher education (bachelor's): 3.95;
Higher education (master's): 4.35.
Humanities teachers (grades 5-11):
Secondary education: 2.10;
Secondary vocational education: 2.90;
Higher education (bachelor's): 3.30;
Higher education (master's): 3.65;
STEM teachers (grades 5-11):
Secondary education: 2.45;
Secondary vocational education: 3.50;
Higher education (bachelor's): 3.95;
Higher education (master's): 4.35;
It was also emphasized that when calculating salaries, work experience, salary rates, the number of teaching hours, and coefficients for high-altitude areas are taken into account.
Jaidarbek Sydykov, head of the Ak-Tal district education department, explained that the differences in salaries are solely due to the coefficients.
“No one has divided teachers or subjects into any ranks. Everyone has equal rights. The only difference is in the coefficients, which were established a long time ago when there was a shortage of teachers in exact sciences. For example, the coefficient for STEM subjects is 2.45, while for humanities it is 2.10, and for primary classes, it is 2.45,” he noted.
According to new data, starting in April, the salaries of all teachers and staff of preschool institutions are expected to increase by 100%. Each educator will also receive a presidential compensation of 15,000 soms, depending on their salary rate. “I hope that ultimately salaries will increase significantly,” added J. Sydykov.
