Minister of Education and Higher Education in the caretaker government, Abbas al-Halabi, received an expanded delegation from the administrative body of the Association of Official Secondary Education Teachers, led by Malouk Mehrez. Al-Halabi welcomed the delegation during the first expanded meeting post-official exams, emphasizing that "without the cooperation and national responsibility demonstrated by the teachers, the official examinations would not have taken place." He considered that "the efforts made between the administration and the teachers led to this accuracy and transparency, and the results of the intermediate certificate have been issued," pointing out that "the ministry is investigating the leak of data and its dissemination."
He revealed that "this week will witness the issuance of the results of the secondary school exams across its four branches, which will bring relief to students, teachers, and their families," appreciating "the hard work and expertise of the teachers in achieving the exams both educationally and logistically." Furthermore, al-Halabi noted the "rising costs day by day," referring to "the meeting that will be held today in the Grand Serail regarding the strike of public sector employees," reminding of "the ministry's success in finding incentives and support to ensure the continuation of the academic year," confirming that "efforts are ongoing to provide more resources for the new academic year, especially since support is needed for all public sector employees, and thus the situation cannot remain as it is."
He also expressed his daily concern that "the budget, incentives, and allowances for teachers and employees along with transportation allowances should be approved," confirming that "after the first of April, social assistance will no longer be linked to attendance," and mentioned the issues related to healthcare, transportation, and fuel. Al-Halabi disclosed "that we are working on preparing a guiding budget for donor agencies, as well as the funds held in school accounts need to be released to enable schools to spend them on operations, wages, and services."
For her part, Mehrez thanked the minister for the reception and cooperation, emphasizing that "the education sector is an essential pillar, and demands begin with restoring the salary's value to provide teachers with a formal arrangement that encourages them to stay and contribute." She warned of "the growing number of teachers requesting to place their jobs on hold or resigning," stressing that "we will not accept being told that there are no budgets in the state; we committed to the academic year until its end, and our financial capabilities can no longer bear any additional burdens, as we are responsible for our children, and we are ready to sit with the minister and donor agencies to present our suffering and perspective."
The attendees then discussed issues related to delayed incentives and how to receive them, and al-Halabi confirmed that "the overdue payments will be made very soon, especially since the documents are signed and are on the way for transfer to the banks."
