Russian teachers are outraged by Medvedev's advice. Why did Medvedev send teachers into business?

“If we leave, who will teach the businessmen with whom Medvedev is going to build a prosperous state”

Teachers are surprised how Dmitry Medvedev could afford such a statement. Old-school teachers are trying to popularize their profession among young people, while the prime minister is sending everyone into business. Teachers saw in Medvedev’s words a hint that Russian teachers have no hope for a better future and more decent salaries.

“If the Prime Minister of Russia wants to destroy teaching as a class, he will definitely succeed. We'll leave. We were already leaving. In the “dashing 90s” - we froze in the markets, selling panties brought from China, and went to work as housekeepers for the “new Russians”. But then who will teach the very businessmen with whom Dmitry Anatolyevich is going to build a prosperous state? Or is business “Medvedev-style” a “shuttle” with a striped trunk, an illiterate trader at the market? As far as I understand, modern business Mathematicians, physicists, and chemists are needed. We need biologists and knowledge of foreign languages. But, judging by the prime minister’s statement, this is not how he sees Russian business in the third millennium. And we will survive. We are no strangers to this. We are teachers of the old school. Still from the Soviet school, I mean. But young people are running away from school. And now he will run even faster, after the prime minister himself explained that there is no hope for a better future,” the deputy director of the largest school in the Free Port of Vanino, a teacher of the highest category, commented on Medvedev’s words Irina Stremenetskaya.

“You just give up when you hear this. We teachers have never been rich. I've been at school all my life. I retire in a year. I lived my whole life in a room in a municipal hostel. I work three times, I lead a circle, I perform the functions of a social teacher. A month comes out to 47 thousand rubles. I’m just a very active person, a workaholic, one might say. And I probably get the most money in school. And then a girl came to us - an English teacher, after college. She has 17 thousand in her hands. And she doesn’t even hide the fact that she will leave. And the teachers foreign language, especially in our provinces, the shortage is simply catastrophic! And now they have taken away our points, thanks to which we received bonuses. For a short period they were happy that they could live. And in 2014 we were told that there was no money for these additional payments in the region: our region is too scattered along the line, schools in taiga villages “eat up” too much money from the budget. And in the neighboring area they receive, they still have points. What kind of policy does the state have? I think this is anti-state policy! After all, we also prepare children for the Olympiads, and we successfully write articles, that is, we also do scientific work. But in one region of one country there are bonuses for this, but in another - not. And with such an attitude, especially from the head of government, schools will soon be completely empty. Doesn’t Medvedev understand this?!” - a teacher from another school, a teacher of the highest category, is indignant Svetlana Skrobotova.

While Far Eastern teachers are recovering from the unprecedented statement of the Russian Prime Minister, help is coming to their aid, as it should be good neighbor And good friend, China is coming.

Heilongjiang State University — largest university Heilongjiang Province - invites Russian language teachers to work. For teachers from Russia, a comfortable modern residential building was built on the territory of a huge university campus, which has everything a teacher needs to think only about work: parks, fountains, shops, swimming pools, tennis courts and much more. Accommodation is at the expense of the university.

“Heilongjiang University (HeiDa) invites Russian language teachers to permanent job in China, Harbin on favorable terms. Working conditions: contract for 3−5 years. They live in apartments for specialists at the university. Apartments with all amenities. Accommodation at the expense of the university. Considering low level prices in China, are willing to pay from 700 to 1000 US dollars per month, depending on the level of teaching,” they invite Russian teachers to China by .

In border Harbin there are a lot of mixed families - the husband is Chinese, the wife is Russian. In most cases, these are teachers’ families in which beautiful children grow up who speak both Chinese and Russian equally well. The wives are those same young Russian teachers who, several years ago, left in search of a better life in the Middle Kingdom and found there not only family, but also professional happiness.

The work of a teacher is one of the seven most highly paid professions in China, along with the financial sector, IT communications, programming, science and sports. In China, teaching is the most honorable profession. The authority of the teacher in this country is unconditional and indisputable.

At the same time, in the Khabarovsk Territory, there remains an urgent need for teaching staff. There are 211 vacancies on the official website of the regional relevant ministry. This is not counting all kinds of musical and art schools, where earnings are even less.

As reported IA REGNUM, On August 3, at a meeting with participants of the “Territory of Meanings” forum, Dmitry Medvedev recommended that teachers who complained about low salaries go into business. The teaching community in the regions of the Russian Federation reacted sharply to the prime minister’s proposal. So, in Yakutia he was considered cynical: “Something carried him completely somewhere... He relaxed,” residents of the republic write on social networks.

The topic of the day

If we didn’t have Dmitry Medvedev, we would have to invent him. Because he cuts through the truth with a frankness that any opposition can envy. At the same time, revealing your own incompetence is so naive that you can’t help but think: if the prime minister is like that, what are his subordinates like?

Here is another “wise” advice to the impoverished population from the Prime Minister: to Russian teachers who are dissatisfied with a salary of 15 thousand rubles, he said that teaching is a calling, “and if you want to earn money, there are a lot of great places where you can do it faster and better. Same business." And besides, according to Dmitry Anatolyevich, a hard-working teacher can “somehow, so to speak, earn something else” - in addition to the basic salary.

These are the rosy ideas that are apparently painted in the head of the second person in the state: uninterested grabbers without a vocation, thinking only about money, will leave school and take up profitable business and they will be very pleased. In their place will come energetic, hardworking teachers who will not be embarrassed by meager salaries, because they have a calling, and therefore will also be very happy. And the most energetic of them, in their free time from their main jobs, will start working part-time in business and combine their vocation with wealth - that is, there will be no limit to their happiness.

Such views of the prime minister are quite understandable: we all know very well about government officials who quite successfully manage to combine their main activities with business, even a very large one. But here’s the problem: what the officials can do, for some reason the teachers can’t do it.

The director of the Transbaikal school, Valentina Manikovskaya, tried to explain to the prime minister what the reason for this paradox is and why teachers are so unlucky. In simple and accessible words, she explained things that are understandable to the vast majority of us: that doing business requires a lot of time, which a teacher does not have, because work by calling requires enormous dedication and takes almost 24 hours a day. That a business needs initial capital, but a teacher’s salary is only enough to last until the next salary, and even then with difficulty.

As for overly greedy teachers leaving for business “to make ends meet,” this is, of course, possible, but it is fraught with very sad consequences: a holy place (even a low-paid one) is never empty, and others will come to take the place of departed teachers. Those who, due to weak abilities and other shortcomings, cannot find another job. And our children will be taught by those who are not fit for anything else... And this is not fun at all, Dmitry Anatolyevich.

Therefore, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the experience of other countries - those where education (and the economy in general, which is a consequence of education) is doing well. There, teachers’ earnings are not left to the market, and they are quite comparable to the income of a businessman mediocre. For example, in Germany, a teacher's salary ranges from 3,200 to 4,700 euros per month. And in Finland, even a novice teacher receives 3,600 euros per month. As a result, the most big competition in Finnish universities - in pedagogical departments. Accordingly, the smartest people go there. Accordingly, smart teachers prepare good personnel for the economy. Accordingly, the economy is good.

So, maybe it’s not worth sending teachers after all? Even if it’s for business.

The Prime Minister found himself at the center of a new scandal because of his statements, this time it was about teachers' salaries. Are there any reasons to talk about the resignation of the head of the Cabinet?

Dmitry Medvedev. Photo: Mitya Aleshkovsky/website

Dmitry Medvedev's statement about teachers was developed after it caused a lot of caustic responses on social networks, there were already official statements and reactions devoid of humor. The press secretary of the country's president, Dmitry Peskov, told Life.ru that no one has canceled the task of increasing teachers' income to the average salary in the regional economy. A petition appeared on the Change.org website demanding that Dmitry Anatolyevich resign, and business media recalled: earlier Financial Times reported that after the parliamentary elections in Russia the structure of power will change, and Dmitry Medvedev will lose his post.

The media and political scientists have already sent Dmitry Medvedev to resign many times. Do such reports have any basis this time? He shared his opinion on this matter with Business FM expert at the Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies Vladimir Slatinov. Maria Buyankina talked to him.

Vladimir Slatinov: In fact, changes in power structures will occur after the September elections; I think this is already inevitable. Another question is how deep they are and, indeed, the central problem is the government. That is, either the government will be restructured, there is no doubt about that, but whether Medvedev will be dismissed, I think the intrigue here remains, and in many ways it will be connected, among other things, with the results of the Duma elections, and in general with the government’s policy in over the next two to three months.

There are a lot of reactions now. What do you think this reaction to the prime minister’s statements on the part of the president’s press secretary and state media indicates: Peskov, dry as always, the press - humorous, but not harsh?

Vladimir Slatinov: No, not harshly, but, by the way, the Kremlin has already corrected Dmitry Anatolyevich, but more precisely, it took the rap for him after the famous phrase, it was about the same. Then Peskov said, and even, in my opinion, Vladimir Vladimirovich, that the prime minister’s words were taken out of context. It must be said that the problem here is resource and stylistic. Now, if we talk about the stylistic problem, then Dmitry Anatolyevich is trying to explain some things, as he says, honest politics, realistic politics, in not very skillful language. And so these are the kinds of blunders that actually lead to a very violent reaction, and in a pre-election situation this really doesn’t play very much in favor of “ United Russia" I would say that Dmitry Anatolyevich is at the top of the list - one of the central problems of United Russia. I think everyone understands this well.

As for the prime minister’s statements, in fact, he often tells the truth, well, as you have already said. But he chooses his words and sometimes confuses me. Why do you think it doesn't work out for him?

Vladimir Slatinov: You see, there is still a constitutional problem and a problem of government competence. Yes, it is clear that the resource base is shrinking, it is clear that now there are no resources to pay big money to state employees. But, firstly, there is material published today by the Accounts Chamber, which suggests that the government is still not finalizing its work in this regard, and there are reserves. So if the government carried out its duties more professionally, the resource base would be increased, and this is indeed a serious claim against the prime minister and the quality of administration on the part of the government. And the second point is still very important, look, Dmitry Anatolyevich is talking about the need to earn extra money. But the fact is that he at least remembers the 90s, how he himself worked as a teacher in several places and more or less supported himself with dignity. But the fact is that now this is impossible, because the government’s policy is such that the same universities are being cut back, the workload on teachers, doctors and public sector employees is being increased, and opportunities for part-time work are being reduced. Gentlemen, okay, if you cannot adequately support state employees, give them the opportunity to earn extra money. Stop for now, well, due to the crisis, the restructuring of this sector, reduce the amount of bureaucracy, because our doctors, teachers, university professors are overwhelmed with terrible bureaucracy. Stop the chaos with standards, for example, educational standards, which are expected for the third time in five years. That is, really give people the opportunity to earn extra money and earn money if you cannot yet adequately support them. But, unfortunately, this is not the case. And this is a question, indeed, of the professionalism and competence of the government, including Dmitry Anatolyevich personally.

I will still return to him: but he does not use such dry formulations, for example, as Peskov. Maybe he wants to be more accessible, closer, so to speak, to the people? Or does he have some kind of alternative style?

Vladimir Slatinov: You know, I can quote one of my colleagues, whom I don’t really like, a political scientist, who said that Dmitry Anatolyevich is trying to communicate with the people in simple language, but it turns out to be the language of Marie Antoinette, who, remember, said: if there is no bread, then eat cakes. Dmitry Anatolyevich’s problem in this sense is stylistic, and it is also ultimately connected with the fact that, unfortunately, our government has become detached from reality in many ways; it has ceased to feel the nerve of the lives of millions of people. That’s why we hear the following phrases: “There is no money, but you hold on. Have a good mood and all the best to you."

Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov commented on the appearance on the Internet of a petition for the resignation of the head of government. The Kremlin has not seen the petition and does not consider it necessary to react to this in any way, said the press secretary of the country's president.

The reason for popular anger was the prime minister’s speech at the educational forum “Territory of Meanings.” Answering a question from a teacher from Dagestan why teachers have a small salary and police officers have a large one, Medvedev replied that a teacher is a calling, and whoever wants to earn money will find an opportunity “to somehow, so to speak, earn something else.”

The Russians, still remembering Medvedev’s call “there is no money, but you hold on,” reacted to the next verbal confrontation by the prime minister with indignation. As a result, a petition soon appeared on Change.org demanding his resignation. “The Cabinet of Ministers must be headed by a competent, educated person who cares for the country,” the document says. In a short time, the petition received over 150 thousand signatures.

However, this conflict is more interesting for its background. Indeed, recently Dmitry Medvedev has made obvious blunders more than once during his speeches, although, it must be said, he did not shine with eloquence before. However, now his mistakes are receiving increased attention. What is it – are the people tired of the government’s mistakes, or is the prime minister’s emphasis on the mistakes of an artificial nature? It is possible that this is so. After all, Medvedev is convenient for the Kremlin as a lightning rod through which popular discontent can be lowered into the ground. After all, one can hardly expect that Vladimir Putin will dismiss the prime minister. As you know, Medvedev is the leader of United Russia, and his dismissal would visibly hit the party’s ratings on the eve of the elections. However, there is also an opinion that the main beneficiary of this story is Dmitry Anatolyevich himself. As you know, the president does not like it if someone tries to force him to make decisions, so the petition will most likely remain unanswered, and Medvedev, on the contrary, will retain his post.

Vitaly ARKOV, political scientist:

– It is beneficial for someone to remove the prime minister from office by feigning dissatisfaction. In Russia there is a special portal where any citizen can create a petition and, if it is popular, implement a public initiative. What is done on other sites, especially foreign ones, is not of decisive importance for the Russian authorities.

Nikolay MIRONOV, head of the Center for Economic and political reforms:

“They are working against Medvedev both through Alexei Kudrin and through the pre-election opposition. Any unfortunate word or photo is immediately promoted in media publications and social networks. Another thing is that there is discontent in the country, so everything falls on fertile ground.

Alexey MUKHIN, General Director of the Center for Political Information:

– According to my information and indirect data, Medvedev will retain the post of prime minister after the September elections. That is, in the foreseeable future no one will replace him. At a certain point, it looked like Medvedev might soon “leave.” But now I would venture to suggest that he will retain the post of prime minister after September 18 – and until December 2017.

© Collage by Igor Arkhipov

Russian teachers expressed outrage at Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's words that teachers who lack salaries should go into business.

Medvedev, when asked by a teacher from Dagestan about the size of teachers’ salaries of 10-15 thousand rubles, replied: “I am often asked about teachers and lecturers. This is a calling, and if you want to earn money, there are a lot of great places where you can do it faster and better. Same business." The prime minister also expressed confidence that a modern teacher is capable of not only receiving a salary on schedule, but also “earning money in some other way.”

A teacher of Russian language and literature from St. Petersburg considers the prime minister’s words inadequate. “Judging by Medvedev’s comment, the government doesn’t care about the education and future of children. He said it without thinking. It turns out that he is separate, the people are separate, the country is separate. He stated that teaching is a calling. So what - teachers now have to suck their paws? - the teacher told Rosbalt.

A chemistry teacher from the city of Kyakhta, Natalya Ismagilova, told the portal “Number One” that teachers are outraged by this attitude of the government. “Not taking into account the rates of the laboratory assistant and others additional responsibilities, I am a teacher of the highest category - I get only 16 thousand rubles for my hours. We have no time to do business. How many reports and all sorts of pieces of paper were dumped on us. You come home at six o'clock and immediately sit down at the computer. You need to prepare a lesson, check your notebooks, and also create a working program. There is no free time at all. Like there are no benefits. In Soviet times, we could at least get medical treatment and relax in sanatoriums. There is nothing now. But all the social pressures come to us: the census of children, work on elections, and so on. And all this is on a voluntary basis,” Ismagilova said.

“Yes, teaching children is our calling. But to use this is cowardice. This is dishonest and unfair. How much pressure can you put on patriotism, vocation, love for children, etc.? A teacher also needs to live somehow. And provide something for your children. Finally rest. Instead of saying such things, the state needs to create normal living conditions for teachers. Just taking from a teacher without giving him anything in return is impudence,” the teacher emphasized.

Retired teacher Olga Vasilyeva was offended by the prime minister’s words: “This is very offensive to hear. Teachers are qualified specialists who deliberately went to study for this specialty. Many have extensive experience and experience. A good teacher puts everything into his work: money, strength, nerves. He gives almost everything to the children. And to hear such a statement from the country's prime minister is, to say the least, surprising. It’s very disappointing when teachers are now, roughly speaking, sent to “trade potatoes.”

Former teacher Marina Klimova followed the prime minister’s advice, but bitterly regrets it: “I went to school to work out of vocation. She loved her job and the children. But, unfortunately, what is happening now in connection with these reforms in schools is a nightmare. Last year I was forced to leave my profession in order to be able to earn a decent living and provide for my children. Now I work in trade, that is, I am forced to do something I don’t like. Does Medvedev advise all teachers to do as I do? Who will work in schools then?”

“I am amazed at the resilience of our teachers, those who are able to endure real bullying for years. Monstrous reforms, inhuman working conditions, humiliating runs for incentive payments, writing tons of reports and other nonsense that distracts from what a teacher should really do - teach children. And all this for the sake of a calling. But I think that a person who is directly involved in the mess that is now happening in our schools is ashamed to say such things! Instead of giving such stupid advice, isn’t it time to get down to business and finally bring order to this area and at least try to return our education system to its former glory?” - Marina Klimova emphasized.