Public school teachers' syndicate announces one-week strike

BEIRUT — The syndicate of public school teachers announced Friday that the teachers in charge of the afternoon shifts will strike for one week starting next week to protest deteriorating living conditions.

Afternoon lessons in Lebanese public schools are mostly for students from Syria.

In a statement, the syndicate said "the restoration of the value of the salaries is a continual demand until the political situation stabilizes and the institutions' work regulates."

Teachers demanded that summer be considered an exception to the attendance condition to obtain dollarized incentive payments. These payments are conditional upon in-person teaching hours but, since summer involves no in-person teaching, the syndicate is demanding they still be paid their incentives.

The syndicate also demanded that the Education Ministry pays overdue transportation allowances.

The syndicate also requested that UNICEF pay schools allegedly promised payments. It called on donor countries and UNICEF to "stop intervening by seizing the role of the Education Ministry and [stop] discrimination through support the education of [Syrian] refugees and refusal to support the education of the Lebanese."

Since the end of last year, incentives for all public school teachers are paid for by donor countries and UNICEF.

The syndicate also accused UNICEF and donor countries of "bestowing cash on [Syrian] refugees in an attempt to push for merging [between Lebanese and Syrian students], which is rejected because it will lead to masked settlement" of refugees in Lebanon.

Beginning in June, United Nations suspended its "dual currency" mechanism for the provision of all cash assistance to refugees in Lebanon. UNICEF was not immediately available to comment on the syndicate's remarks.

The syndicate called for strike days to be paid. It also said they will undergo school exams but will not correct them, and that politicians "bear the responsibility" if official exams are postponed.

Like all sectors, the education sector is struggling amid Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis. Primary schools and the state-owned Lebanese University regularly experience extended strikes from teachers struggling to cope with deteriorating living conditions.