Elementary teachers deny strike suspension

The Higher Committee for Elementary Contract Teachers denied on Monday that Tuesday’s strike was suspended.

The committee confirmed that the strike will still be carried out as scheduled in the face of long delays in transferring funds. They explained in a statement that a number of teachers cannot afford to get to work in the absence of a suitable transportation allowance, let alone the complete lack of health coverage. In Elementary schools, teaching has become forced labor.

The committee called on the teachers to adhere to the strike and not to heed any counteroffers.

The coordination body of contract committees in secondary and primary schools had earlier announced the suspension of the strike that was expected to take place on Tuesday in order to leave room for negotiations carried out by the committee and after the Education Ministry had promised to settle the pending issue between the contract teachers and the ministry.   

Hamza Mansour confirmed in a statement that the financial part of the issue is settled, adding that the contract teachers will have their funds transferred by the end of January.    

Mansour added that the more delicate and crucial issue which is the full-time employment for contract teachers will have the biggest share of discussions.   

Mansour voiced hope that Education Minister Hassan Diab will take into consideration the objective circumstances that have put the contract teachers at a disadvantage in reference to the injustice they faced while doing the “so-called tests”.