The lack of staff is the main problem in organizing extended schedule groups in the schools of Chisinau. According to the deputy head of the General Directorate of Education, Youth and Sports, Andrei Pavaloi, many teachers refuse to take on these hours, as they are paid as educators, without taking into account their teaching degree and work experience, reports IPN.
During a podcast, Andrei Pavaloi stated that DGETS proposed that individuals who work in extended program groups should have the status of a teacher. At the same time, the Directorate proposes exceptions to the legal limit regarding the number of hours for teaching staff who teach both in class and in extended program groups.
According to him, currently, a teacher can take on a maximum of three hours within the group, so as not to exceed the norm of 27 hours per week. Thus, even if parents request that the teacher stays with the students after lessons, the institution cannot pay for more than three hours.
Andrei Pavaloi stated that DGETS is also analyzing other solutions. One of these includes organizing optional classes, such as drawing or chess, led by other teachers, after which the class teacher could take over the three hours of the extended program group.
The extended program groups funded by the municipal budget operate in 113 educational institutions and are attended by almost 31,800 students.
