Romania education sector faces scholarship cuts and salary debates

Romania is facing significant shifts in education policy and economic pressure as the 2026-2027 school year approaches. A proposed government decision by the Ministry of Education suggests that social scholarships, currently valued at 300 lei per month, may no longer be paid during school holidays, but only during active course periods. This move has drawn sharp criticism from political figures like Monica Anisie and Alin Tișe, who argue that poverty does not pause for vacations and that such measures disproportionately affect vulnerable children.

Simultaneously, the education sector is grappling with budgetary constraints. Labor Minister Dragoș Pîslaru noted that there is no fixed formula for the reference value, which has seen a decrease from 4,100 to 4,000 lei, impacting teacher salaries. While the government aims for long-term increases, current fiscal realities have led to debates over austerity. Political tensions have risen as Deputy Marius Budăi criticized interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s approach, arguing that reducing public sector staff to increase individual salaries ignores a cooling labor market that has already seen a loss of 63,000 jobs.

On the social front, the government is implementing a 500 lei voucher program for school supplies for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, provided they meet specific income thresholds. Meanwhile, economic data from Eurostat highlights a growing trend of financial instability, with over 60% of Romanians reporting they cannot afford a one-week holiday, marking a significant decline in purchasing power.