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Education International congratulates the Israel Teachers’ Union (ITU) for signing a landmark salary agreement for teachers.

Governmental acknowledgement of educators’ crucial role in society

“This salary agreement is a huge achievement for the education workers in Israel, who finally receive recognition and appreciation from the state for their important work and their contribution to the Israeli society,” ITU General Secretary Yaffa Ben David stressed, adding that her union considers the agreement as being the first step in restoring the status of the teaching profession.

The agreement signed on 20 October foresees a salary increase for all teaching staff in two installments. The first installment is due in January 2023 and will also include a retroactive refund starting from September 2022. The second installment is to be allocated in September 2023.

According to ITU, this will allow for a teacher in his or her first year to earn approximately 2,700 euros starting from September 2023.

An adjustment of the holiday schedule, salary increase for school principals as well as a persistence grant of approximately 2,900 euros to be allocated for new teachers after three years of teaching have also been agreed upon.

“An increase of remuneration for fulfilling additional duties and positions in school will be granted to teachers, including adding remuneration to kindergarten teachers and administrators who have students with special needs in their classes”, Ben David noted.

Ongoing struggle

This union win comes after ITU engaged in rolling strikes across the country to demand decent working conditions and a fair wage agreement reflecting the importance, significance, and complexity of working as an educator in these challenging times.