The active committee of contracted teachers in official basic education announced in a statement that "some teachers refused to oversee the official exams due to the meager amount allocated for supervision, which is 320,000 LBP × 3 = 960,000 LBP + 450,000 LBP for transportation, totaling 1,390,000 LBP, which is about $15.5 for each day of supervision." Consequently, teachers were notified through school administrations of the obligation to supervise, despite there being no legal basis for this. When these teachers refused, they were threatened with being deprived of productivity allowances, which are rights linked to their teaching hours during the academic year and not related to the official exams.
The statement added, "The issue began when the Ministry of Education sent a questionnaire to schools to count the number of those willing to supervise, and some principals, based on the Ministry's request, forced teachers who wanted to write 'I do not wish' to write 'I wish.' Some senior staff were also compelled to participate as heads of centers despite their reluctance. As a result, a number of teachers are headed towards not supervising tomorrow, despite having received a decision assigning them, as these protesting teachers find the amount of $15 for transportation to and from the exam center insufficient."
The statement asked: "Does the ministry have the right to force teachers to supervise for $15 a day? Is there any worker in this country who would accept such wages? Certainly not, there is no justification for that. Why did UNICEF not pay $20 for supervision as last year?" It further questioned: "What is the cost of the official exams in Lebanon? What are the allocations set for the official exam department and all those involved in its management, including generals, employees, and others?"
The statement concluded: "It is our right to know, just as it is our right to reject this 'extortion' of teachers who are always made to pay the price."
