Public school teachers protest in Tripoli against deteriorating working conditions, Jan. 9, 2023. (Courtesy of: Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — The syndicates for public school teachers on Saturday announced they will hold a protest during Monday's scheduled cabinet meeting, where caretaker ministers are set to discuss the ailing public education sector and other issues.
The teachers also listed their demands to end their strike, which has been ongoing since early January, adding that their protest would take place at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Beirut's Bechara al-Khoury Avenue and Riad al-Solh Square. They said they would continue the strike until Sunday, Feb. 12, with no morning or afternoon classes in the meantime.
In a joint statement, the syndicates said that after meeting earlier this week with caretaker Education Minister Abbas Halabi, they listed demands for Halabi to relay to cabinet.
Teachers are requesting higher wages and transportation fees, receiving part of their salaries in dollars and improved health insurance.
The syndicates said they "call on cabinet to approve these demands to secure the return of the education sector to its normal life, and warn against stalling."
"Not approving these demands would lead to the loss of the education year," the statement also said.
Public teachers have been on strike since the beginning of 2023 to protest deteriorating living conditions as Lebanon faces a years-long economic crisis.