BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Several thousands Slovak teachers are rallying in the capital Bratislava to protest low salaries.
The protesters from all parts of the country have gathered at a downtown square near the government building for their noisy protest.
They say their salaries are much lower than those of their colleagues in other EU countries.
The Education Ministry said a total of 53 schools across the country remained closed Tuesday.
Ministry spokeswoman Miriam Ziakova said education is a priority for the government, and teachers have been promised an increase in salaries up to 7 percent next year.
The protesters want a 30-percent increase this year and threaten to strike if their demands are not met.