Search
Search

LEBANON

Public high school students protest for cancellation of exams amid teachers' strike

Public high school students protest for cancellation of exams amid teachers' strike

A high school student speaks during a demonstration in front of the Education Ministry in Beirut, April 11, 2023. (Credit: Screenshot Al Jadeed channel)

BEIRUT — Dozens of public high school students protested Tuesday morning in front of the Education Ministry in Beirut, demanding the cancellation of official exams following weeks of school closures.

Teachers have been on strike since early January demanding better working conditions. Some of them returned to work at the end of February following a decision by teachers' syndicates, while others denounced this decision and maintained their strike.

"All teachers' rights must be respected," a student told local media on Tuesday. "We will only get our rights if the teachers get theirs." 

"We have been silent for four years, it is no longer acceptable," the student added, stressing the students' top demand, which they said is to cancel official exams. 

They also demanded that contractual teachers not replace fixed, fully employed teachers.

The teachers' strike came after Lebanese students already missed classes in recent years due to COVID-19 closures and unreliable internet connection. 

The strike was aimed at obtaining higher salaries and transportation allowances, as well as medical benefits. On Feb. 27, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati approved a proposal to give teachers additional support by subsidizing five liters of fuel per teacher per working day.

In response, some teachers lifted their strike, a decision denounced by others.

Civil servants are still paid in Lebanese lira, a currency that has collapsed and lost more than 98 percent of its value since the start of the country's economic crisis in 2019.

BEIRUT — Dozens of public high school students protested Tuesday morning in front of the Education Ministry in Beirut, demanding the cancellation of official exams following weeks of school closures.Teachers have been on strike since early January demanding better working conditions. Some of them returned to work at the end of February following a decision by teachers' syndicates, while others...