The Minister of Education in the caretaker government, Tarek Al-Majdoub, confirmed that official exams are still set to take place as long as the health situation remains unchanged.
The National News Agency reported that the Minister made this statement after meeting with President Michel Aoun, emphasizing that the exams are still on, provided the health situation does not deteriorate. Al-Majdoub mentioned that the ministry has requested priority vaccination for teachers and students. He also indicated that the ministry is preparing to return to hybrid teaching and called on the President to help coordinate efforts with all relevant parties in the educational sector.
In a related context, the committee of evening teachers for non-Lebanese students announced in a statement that they met yesterday with Education Committee member Deputy Ihab Hamadeh "to explain the issue of receiving full contracts for the second semester of the previous academic year, reaffirming our right to receive our salaries in US dollars. They also highlighted the injustice they have faced for years due to the illegal deduction of the basic hourly wage in the contract, which is $20, and only receiving $12."
The committee stated that Deputy Hamadeh confirmed "his support, along with the Education Committee in the parliament, for our cause and assured us of the necessary legal support to achieve our rightful demands." They noted that the meeting addressed "the most important item, which is payment in US dollars, urging us not to give up this important right. Donor countries send entitlements in dollars, and the vast majority of those working on this issue in the ministry are paid in dollars. Therefore, we have the right as teachers to be equal with them in receiving payments in dollars."
Furthermore, the statement continued: "Regarding the urgent recurring draft law submitted by the chairwoman of the Education Committee, Deputy Bahia Hariri, we were assured that it is indeed on the agenda for the council's first session, which has not yet been scheduled. He also confirmed that the term 'those who are sought for in evening education' falls under this law."
The committee quoted Deputy Hamadeh's words: "Be assured that you have legitimate rights and do not remain silent about them, as no right is lost when there are demands. We are with you and will support you until the end." They renewed their "pledge to continue moving forward until we receive all our entitlements."
