The official education unions have reiterated the importance of national exams in assessing academic achievement and preserving the credibility of official certificates. Despite emphasizing their commitment to conducting these exams, they highlighted the supremacy of human dignity, national unity, and the indivisibility of security and education. Given the current security challenges the country faces, especially affecting the educational sector, the unions stated their stance as follows:
“Firstly, they firmly oppose exposing the safety of teachers, students, parents, or any exam participants to danger. The prevailing conflict presents serious risks, severe travel difficulties, increasing psychological pressures, and a lack of equal educational opportunities among students. This issue should be addressed devoid of political exploitation, through legal and institutional frameworks, dialogue, and cooperation. Consequently, the unions call upon the parliament and government to take responsibility by canceling the national exams scheduled for June 29 for secondary students and July 15 for vocational students, and to adopt a fair legal mechanism that considers students' interests.
Secondly, they recommend implementing a straightforward and flexible evaluation process for ninth-grade students and establishing a clear, fair mechanism to assess students from closed high schools across all grades to prevent individual discretion and ensure uniform standards. Additionally, they propose extending legal deadlines related to administrative tasks, notably in issuing results.
Thirdly, the unions urge parliament to hold an urgent legislative session to pass the required law for retroactive salary payments, amounting to six monthly salaries starting from March 1, 2026. This move aims to address long-standing issues regarding the rights of educators, who are central to any educational endeavors and the true value of education and societal development.”