The educational sector is witnessing a very serious phenomenon that threatens the level of education in Lebanon as well as the fate of the upcoming school year. This phenomenon is characterized by the emigration of teachers in the public education system, with a large number of primary and secondary school teachers applying for unpaid leaves (for six months renewable) and requests for deposits (for one year, renewable for an additional year), citing travel and the search for a dignified life in another place that respects their mission and the effort they expend in this country. While this phenomenon indeed began in the current school year, it has been growing rapidly in recent months and has become a real threat, jeopardizing the fate of the upcoming school year as well as public schools as a whole.
Malouk Mahraz, the head of the Secondary Education Association, confirmed this phenomenon in an interview with mtv, noting that a significant number of such requests are being made. She revealed that "in light of the dire economic situation we are currently living through and the lack of salary and wage corrections, it is very natural for teachers to either take unpaid leave or request deposits; after all, teachers want to live, and what can they do?"
She added, "The situation for teachers has been poor for three years with no improvement in salaries, which remain at the rate of 1,500 Lira, despite all the protests and sit-ins. Therefore, it is very natural to witness an increase in requests for deposits."
While Mahraz pointed out that the percentage of teachers who applied for deposit requests and unpaid leaves last year was 35%, she expected this percentage to rise significantly this year if there is no serious consideration for improving salaries. Mahraz considered this situation to pose a significant danger to all public education, including basic, secondary, and vocational education, expressing her concern especially since those teachers who have left Lebanon and found job opportunities abroad are unlikely to return, especially when they find that their work is valued and respected by the state in which they reside.
Mahraz warned that "this situation portends the worst, and those who will pay the price are the children of the middle and poor classes. However, we cannot blame the teachers; these educators are responsible for families, and all they want is a dignified life," predicting an increase in the number of teachers leaving Lebanon amid deteriorating conditions and the inability of educators to live on less than $100 a month.
"The ministry cannot confront this phenomenon and prevent granting unpaid leave, as it is a right for the teacher guaranteed by law," Mahraz confirmed. "The solution is to improve the conditions of teachers so that they can remain in Lebanon and withstand the challenges." The educational reality is indeed disheartening and does not bode well, with Mahraz's description of it being perhaps the most accurate despite its severity: "Those who will remain in Lebanon are only those who have not yet found job opportunities abroad."
