A Voice of Reason in the Duma? Mironov Publicly Slams Education Minister Kravtsov Over Teachers’ Salaries

While TV reports paint a bright picture of progress in education, teachers in 73 Russian regions are earning below the minimum wage. Not in some remote village, but across the entire country. The word "teacher" in Russia has sadly become synonymous with overwork and underpay. And now, finally, someone in the State Duma has had enough.

Sergey Mironov — leader of the "A Just Russia" party — broke the silence with a scathing attack on Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov. The message? Stop blaming the past. Start fixing the present.

🔹 "What voices are you hearing, Mr. Kravtsov?"

Kravtsov recently claimed that low teacher salaries are a "legacy of the 1990s." He said the issue would take "a long time to fix" and that it's "technically difficult."

Mironov responded with sharp sarcasm and cold facts:

"What voices are you hearing, Mr. Kravtsov? You've been Minister since 2020. You're responsible for implementing the President's decrees. And under your leadership, the situation has only gotten worse."

And the numbers back it up.
📉 In 2020, the average teacher's salary was 85% of the national average.
📉 In 2025, it's dropped to 70%.
And in 73 regions, teachers earn below the minimum wage. That's not policy — that's a national embarrassment.

🔹 "Teachers are leaving. And the minister says… be patient?"

While the Ministry boasts about "digital innovation" and "patriotic values," real-life teachers are quitting en masse. Not because they've lost passion — but because they can't afford to survive.

Mironov asked the question on everyone's mind:

"How long do you expect teachers to be patient? They're forced to work two jobs, tutor after hours, and still struggle to pay the bills."

🔹 The Real Plan: 200% Base Pay and Progressive Rates

But Mironov didn't just criticize — he offered a concrete solution. His party's bill includes:

✔️ A teacher's base salary must be no less than 200% of the regional average.
✔️ The fixed base rate should be at least 70% of that total.
✔️ Overload work gets progressive bonuses:
• 1.5x workload — 170% salary
• 2x workload — 240% salary
• And so on — with safety caps to prevent burnout.

This is a real, structured approach — not vague promises.

🔹 Mironov Calls It Out: "Kravtsov is in the wrong position"

But the most explosive part was his personal statement:

"Kravtsov is not in the right place. Everything he's doing is harmful."

And it didn't stop there. Some deputies are now openly suggesting eliminating the Ministry of Education altogether, claiming it does more harm than good.

🔹 Why this matters

Because for the first time in years, someone in Parliament spoke up for teachers.
Because finally, someone said what parents and educators have been whispering for years.
And because this isn't just about salaries — it's about the future of the country.

Without teachers, there are no doctors, no engineers, no economy — and no sovereignty.

🔚 Final Thoughts

Mironov didn't just make noise — he drew a line.
He said clearly: no more excuses.
No more 1990s. No more empty talks. No more technical delays.

It's time to name names.
And if ministries themselves are part of the problem — maybe they should go first.

💬 What do you think?
Is it time to start fixing ministries before blaming the teachers?