European Trade Union Committee for Education

On 18 and 19 March 2026, education social partners from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions met in Chișinău, Moldova, for the second Peer Learning Activity of the EastSD project, Enhancing the attractiveness of the teaching profession through strengthened Social Dialogue. Representatives of trade unions, employers, policymakers and local stakeholders exchanged experiences and looked at how cooperation can support better working conditions and stronger education systems.

The meeting opened with exchanges between Moldova and Slovenia on the current challenges facing the teaching profession. Participants agreed that improving the attractiveness of teaching requires strong and structured social dialogue that works in practice, not only on paper. Discussions highlighted the need for trust, continuity and genuine participation of all partners, supported by clear national mechanisms and regular consultation.

Teacher attractiveness remained a central theme. Delegations pointed to salary disparities, heavy workload and demographic pressures as key obstacles. The Moldovan experience illustrated targeted measures such as incremental salary increases, financial support for early career teachers and incentives for new entrants. Efforts to simplify administrative procedures and reduce the bureaucratic load were also recognised as essential steps to improve working conditions and teacher well‑being.

Professional development policies were another area of common interest. Investments in training related to digitalisation, inclusion and migration were viewed positively, especially as more programmes shift to publicly funded models. Slovenia presented reforms that extend career pathways and introduce new professional titles, providing recognition and helping retain experienced teachers.

Digitalisation generated active debate. While digital tools offer new opportunities for teaching, participants noted their impact on workload and the growing need to protect rest time through clear rules on communication outside working hours. The Right to Disconnect was identified as an emerging issue that should be more firmly integrated into social dialogue and collective bargaining.

The second day was hosted by a vocational school in Chișinău, where participants took part in a roundtable with school management, union representatives, students, parents and community partners. Their exchange highlighted the value of inclusive dialogue at school level and the shared responsibility of all actors in creating supportive and attractive working environments.

Overall, the Chișinău activity confirmed that both ETUCE and EFEE share a commitment to strengthening social dialogue and improving the attractiveness of the teaching profession. The exchanges showed how national experiences can inspire progress across the region and how cooperation between social partners remains essential to supporting educators and building sustainable education systems.