Big teachers’ strike in Croatia to affect schools and unis nationwide

A nationwide teachers’ strike is set to take place across Croatia on Wednesday, 19 March, from 8:00 to 12:00.

The strike is set to affect around a thousand schools and universities. Schools with two shifts will see the strike impact the first four morning hours of the afternoon shift as well.

Trade unions, who announced participation from 93.54% of its affiliated schools. are demanding a 10 percent increase in base salary, a change in coefficients or – until they are changed – a temporary salary increase of eight percent.

They also mention two, as they say, intangible rights, an exemption from the evaluation system for employees in education and science, and a postponement of the implementation of the vocational school reform, Jutarnji list reported.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the strike, stating that he saw no reason to put children, parents, and taxpayers in an uncomfortable position. He argued that dialogue would be a far better solution.

The government has reiterated that teachers’ salaries have increased every year during their mandate, resulting in a cumulative rise of over 60%. However, trade unions remain dissatisfied, arguing that the education and science sectors have been overlooked compared to other public systems.

Despite the strike, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth has instructed schools to remain open and provide alternative activities for students.

The Minister of Science, Education, and Youth, Radovan Fuchs, urged parents to send their children to school as usual, emphasising that attendance remains compulsory. He assured that supervision would be provided, ensuring students are under constant oversight, while transport and meals should continue without disruption.

Many schools have shared their operational plans on their websites to ensure students and parents are informed. In Zagreb, several high schools have outlined their approach:

I. Gymnasium will keep its sports hall, cinema room, and reading area open for students between 8:00 and 14:00. A special timetable for some classes will be published by 14:00.

II. Gymnasium expects all teachers to be on strike but will still remain open for students.

IV. Gymnasium will have most staff on strike, but the school building and reading room will be open from 8:00 to 14:00.

V. Gymnasium has informed students that they must attend school in the morning shift as scheduled. By 11:00, a revised timetable will be posted for the afternoon shift.

X. Gymnasium will provide access to the cinema room and reading area from 7:45 to 19:00. Teachers not on strike will inform their students about any scheduled classes.

XII. Gymnasium has confirmed that attendance is mandatory, and activities will be supervised throughout the day.

Lucijan Vranjanin Gymnasium has instructed morning shift students to arrive at 8:50, while afternoon shift students should come at 14:00. A temporary timetable will be arranged depending on available teachers.

XV. Gymnasium (MIOC) will organise lessons based on available staff, and students are expected to follow their regular timetable.

According to the Preporod Union, the strike has been confirmed in 507 out of 543 schools where they have branches, as well as in 107 additional institutions. In total, 614 educational establishments are expected to be affected.

Parents and students are advised to check school websites or contact their institutions directly for the latest updates on schedules and available activities.