In Ulaanbaatar’s main square, thousands of teachers and education support personnel held a peaceful demonstration outside the Parliament building, demanding a basic salary increase for teachers to 3.5 million tugrik and adequate funding for the education sector. Currently, teachers earn between 1.2–1.4 million tugriks, while education support staff receive below 1 million tugriks, figures many say are insufficient amid rising living costs. The protests highlighted the urgent need to retain qualified educators and prevent the deterioration of Mongolia’s education system.
The demonstrations received support from the public and notable political figures, including a former president and current member of Parliament. Teachers shared personal testimonies emphasizing the threat to education and the exodus of professionals to higher-paying sectors. On 24 September 2025, over 10,000 educators from Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan-Uul, and Tuv aimag participated, while more than 9,000 union members joined rallies in other central squares across the country, coinciding with the government’s deliberations on the 2026 national budget and FMESU’s broader “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign.
Beyond the capital, workplace sit-ins and press conferences took place in Bayan-Ulgii, Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Zavkhan, Sukhbaatar, Tuv, Khovd, and Khentii aimags. Over 30,000 citizens and workers signed a petition supporting salary increases and adequate education funding, including more than 3,000 teachers, which was submitted to Parliament and the government. Demonstrators highlighted financial struggles, rising living costs, and the need for stronger government investment, while expressing their commitment to the teaching profession despite systemic neglect.
Education Minister Naranbayar addressed the crowd, acknowledging the demands and estimating that an additional 100 billion tugriks would be required, but his remarks were met with boos, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction. FMESU President Zambal criticized the 2026 draft budget, noting that no additional funds had been allocated for education and warning that planned cuts of 70 billion tugriks could further strain the sector. The union submitted formal demands to the President of the State Hural and the Minister of Education.
The key demands include raising teachers’ basic salaries to 3.5 million tugriks, reducing workloads, and improving working conditions across all education institutions. On 5 October, in alignment with World Teacher’s Day, FMESU organized a peaceful sit-in at the main square in front of Parliament, attended by 800 educators, reinforcing their commitment to defending teachers’ rights and public education. FMESU, together with CMTU, has urged the government to take immediate action, warning that failure to implement concrete measures could lead to escalation, including a nationwide strike.
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