Sit-in for public sector teachers at Education Ministry after two-day strike

BEIRUT - Public sector contract teachers held a sit-in Thursday outside the Education Ministry to protest the removal of the $375 monthly productivity allowance during the summer.

This assistance allows public sector teachers to receive a minimal income during the summer vacation, a period during which they do not receive any salary.

This decision, made by Education Minister Rima Karameh in consultation with the government, was experienced as a "betrayal" by the teachers, who came from several regions of Lebanon to protest in front of the ministry in Beirut, after observing "two days of preventive strike" beforehand.

The president of the active committee of public sector teachers, Nesrine Chahine, spoke out to denounce this policy she considers "destructive." "We came today to defend the dignity of public schools, their teachers, their students, and their families. We came to say that silence, submission, and humiliation will no longer be our response," she denounced. She added: 'Those who sink the educational sector cannot pretend to save the country. How can we talk about reform while taking money from the poorest pockets?' before announcing a continuation of the strike for two weeks.

'Not a pound has entered our pockets'

In response to this situation, the teachers also denounce the non-payment of their salaries despite the announced increase in the hourly rate to $8.2. "So far, not a single Lebanese pound has entered the teachers pockets. We are told about credits, but nothing reaches us. We work, we teach, and we are still without resources," continued Chahine.

The claims made are numerous and are part of a desire to structurally reform the status of contractual teachers. Thus, teachers primarily demand the immediate reinstatement of the summer allowance in the form of social assistance, which was removed without notice. They also demand a law of tenuring or full-time contracting to end the chronic insecurity that "undermines the morale and stability of thousands of teachers."

Additionally, they call for a fair revision of the salary scale, particularly by reducing the gap between primary and secondary school teachers, as well as the full payment of supervisory hours, currently paid at half rate. They also demand the immediate payment of the $90 bonus promised to 3,000 teachers for the 2020-2021 school year but never honored.

Finally, the teachers insist on the necessity to compensate for forced interruption days due to events beyond their control, by applying the principle of a complete contract that guarantees a minimum of stability. "We fight to keep our conscience alive, for our humanity and dignity to survive," concluded Chahine, asserting that the strike will continue as long as their rights are not restored.