REPORT: Committees representing parents of Catholic schools students hold sit-in in Beirut

Committees representing parents of children attending Catholic schools staged a sit-in on Saturday in Riad al-Solh Square to protest the new wage scale.

This comes after the said committees had called for a gathering in the afternoon in Riad al-Solh Square, outside the headquarters of the United Nations Educational and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), to protest against the severe effect that will be imposed by the series of ranks and salaries on the school fees, making the parents unable to afford it.

The committees had also held a general meeting at the Antonine International School in Ajaltoun, to discuss the pay scale and its negative effects on the national economy and the future of the students.

In a statement issued following the meeting, the committees said that “the discussions held by the parliamentary committees concerning the pay scale do not seem to be based on a sound scientific basis,” adding that pressures are being exerted in order to pass the law without taking into account the subjective conditions and the remarks of the concerned parties.

In this regard, the parents’ committees urged the deputies to be aware of the funding formula, which will be adopted, especially the one related to the private schools teachers.

“The funding of the pay scale must not result in an increase of the tuition fees, the government must assume its responsibility and support private education,” the statement read.


To watch Foutoun Raad's report, please click on the VIDEO above