It may now be accurate to mourn the education sector in Lebanon. The sector has become, in effect, dead and not subject to revival despite timid attempts and the "educational session." The disruption is no longer limited to the public sector; it also includes the private sector. Both are dissatisfied, and both are in a lamentable state.
According to information, public schools will continue their strike despite what was approved in the recent Cabinet session. The situation in private schools is not much different; are they also heading towards a strike?
Naimah Mahfouz, the head of the teachers' union in the private sector, pointed out to MTV that "if the dollar continues on its upward trajectory and fuel prices keep rising, teachers cannot endure it. The proof is that a number of private schools and teachers have resorted to strike." However, Mahfouz states, "What do we gain if we go for an open strike? Parents would then stop paying tuition fees, and teachers would not receive their salaries. Therefore, we will plan our steps in a way that allows us to secure the rights of teachers. We try to solve problems in schools individually." He adds, "Our problem today lies in the Parliament. After the public sector salaries were reduced three times in the general budget, this law should have been applied to teachers in private schools, and this phrase should have been added. This can only happen through a law in Parliament." He said, "I was relying on members of the council office, with whom I communicated, to include legislative unity and funding the retirement fund as urgent matters after capital control, but the disagreement that occurred in the session delayed matters and postponed them to next Monday."
He indicates that an agreement was reached with several educational institutions to raise salaries three times until Parliament enacts legislative unity with the public sector, confirming, "Schools agreed to do this, but only a few have started to implement it." Schools and teachers are pleading and demanding their most basic rights, while the officials are completely absent. In light of this reality, it is the students who pay the price.
