Reality or Illusion?

I read Aleksandr Nikitenko's article "To Each According to His Labor" in the April issue of our journal very carefully. His proposals evoked nothing but bewilderment in me. I'm convinced that many teachers will share my point of view. There is only one thing I agree on: It is necessary to search for ways to improve the quality of the teacher's work and the salary he is paid. This is why we are hearing increasingly louder voices demanding radical changes in the material support given to schools and to teachers. But Nikitenko's proposals in "To Each According to His Labor" give rise to objections. It is essential to argue vigorously against these proposals. They are all the more dangerous in that the author believes it is possible to implement them almost immediately. But in my opinion this cannot be permitted under any circumstances! I have no doubt that this reformer of teachers’ salaries is motivated by the noblest of intentions. Who, after all, could object to the principle of "to each according to his labor"? Who could object to the effort to enhance the prestige of the teacher's profession? Especially now, when all of society has gotten involved in the search for economic solutions.