ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - A Croatian teachers' union on Tuesday sent an open letter to parliamentary representatives warning that the adoption of a 2001 draft budget for the school system, as proposed by the government, would mean not
only the continuation of the HDZ policy toward the school system but a step back further given that the draft envisages a reduction in funds for the school system. Addressing deputies from the ruling six-party coalition, 'Preporod' union president Vinko Filipovic said the proposed budget was not in accordance with electoral promises. The draft budget proves that the government has no solution for problems it has taken over but is trying to make cosmetic improvements, the union believes. This year's share of 3.13 percent from Gross Domestic Product is being reduced to a mere 2.75 percent in 2001, which is far below 5.6 percent, which is the share of the school
ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - A Croatian teachers' union on Tuesday sent
an open letter to parliamentary representatives warning that the
adoption of a 2001 draft budget for the school system, as proposed
by the government, would mean not only the continuation of the HDZ
policy toward the school system but a step back further given that
the draft envisages a reduction in funds for the school system.
Addressing deputies from the ruling six-party coalition,
'Preporod' union president Vinko Filipovic said the proposed
budget was not in accordance with electoral promises.
The draft budget proves that the government has no solution for
problems it has taken over but is trying to make cosmetic
improvements, the union believes.
This year's share of 3.13 percent from Gross Domestic Product is
being reduced to a mere 2.75 percent in 2001, which is far below 5.6
percent, which is the share of the school system in GDP in European
Union countries. It is less than in countries in transition and less
than in all European countries and will not be enough for changes
which are necessary for bringing Croatia's school system closer to
European standards, the union leader said.
The draft budget for the next year contradicts Croatia's draft
development strategy which envisages that by 2005 education would
account for six percent of GDP. The union believes a special cause
for concern should be the fact that lower funds for the school
system will cause further erosion of staff and an increase in the
number of incompetent staff.
(hina) rml