The Executive Council of the Teachers’ Syndicate on Thursday called on private schools to implement salary increases of at least 100% in urban areas and 80% in rural and remote areas.
This demand was part of a broader set of concerns raised during a council meeting convened to address the growing number of violations against teachers in private schools, particularly as the academic year draws to a close.
The meeting, chaired by Syndicate President Nehme Mahfoud and attended by branch heads from various regions, highlighted that many teachers have not received their full salaries for the past six years, despite tuition fees having returned to their real value in US dollars.
The council also reaffirmed its opposition to private school administrations imposing new employment contracts on tenured teachers, emphasizing that such contracts are automatically renewed by law.
Teachers were strongly advised not to sign any unlawfully imposed agreements, with the Syndicate maintaining communication with the Union of Institutions to demand the withdrawal of such contracts. They were asked to consult their respective Syndicate branches before signing any resignation or contract to ensure their rights are protected.
Additionally, the Syndicate urged them to report any arbitrary practices, such as being pressured to resign before July 5 or being dismissed with insufficient compensation paid solely in Lebanese pounds.
Based on legal counsel, the Syndicate stated that compensation for arbitrary dismissal must be calculated and paid in both US dollars and Lebanese pounds, in accordance with the salary structure in place during the teacher's period of service. Any failure to comply constitutes a legal violation.
The Syndicate also held school administrations responsible for the deterioration of educational relations and called on the Minister of Finance to release 650 billion Lebanese pounds to improve pensions for retired teachers.
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