Russian regions have been ordered to raise teaching salaries to the average level for the region's economy in order to address the challenges of teaching shortages and aging personnel, as well as to improve the quality of general education. Based on the results of sociological research carried out in various regions, this article shows that, due to the inadequate, low standard of per capita finances and scant regional budgets, this measure increases the burden on teachers without solving personnel problems, and it can only worsen the quality of education. [This article was translated by Kim Braithwaite.]