The President of the Teachers’ Syndicate, Wahid Zaal, has unveiled a proposal to increase teachers’ compensation by 100 percent. He emphasized that even this proposed raise falls short of adequately recognizing the significance of teachers’ contributions, given that the current allocation for their work is just 40 percent, while administrators are at 10 percent.
Zaal stated in an interview with Al-Watan that this proposal has been formally submitted to the Ministry of Education for consideration and will subsequently undergo evaluation by the Human Development Committee within the Council of Ministers. He underscored the critical need to prioritize teachers, particularly in light of the challenging economic climate that is adversely affecting their living standards. Thus, it is imperative to enhance their situation, as teachers play a pivotal role in shaping future generations.
Furthermore, Zaal emphasized the existence of multiple calls from various quarters for increased recognition and support for teachers, including an elevation of administrative staff’s work-related benefits.
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Zaal also referred to numerous past decrees that have been issued, highlighting the government’s generosity towards teachers and university professors with regard to the nature of their work. These measures have been in place since 2013, and the latest decree specifically addresses the work conditions of teachers in remote areas.
Regarding the shortage of teachers in schools, especially in specialized subjects like mathematics, physics, and other disciplines, Zaal stressed the importance of swiftly organizing competitions to fill these gaps in schools, particularly in subjects where teacher shortages are apparent. He mentioned that many schools are currently lacking teachers qualified to teach these specialized subjects.
Zaal noted that the Ministry of Education has taken several initiatives in conjunction with administrative development to address these shortages, emphasizing the necessity of further efforts to organize new competitions, especially in areas where teacher shortages are evident. He expressed hope that these competitions will be expedited.
Furthermore, Zaal pointed out that numerous teachers are currently working part-time to address these shortages in certain specialties. He argued that once these teachers receive official recognition, it would lead to greater stability for them. He emphasized the distinction between the labour market and recent graduates, asserting that quick action is required to launch specialized teacher competitions,
As for the issue of teachers emigrating to other countries, Zaal stated that it is challenging to pinpoint the exact number of teachers who have left, but it is a phenomenon akin to other professions, such as doctors and engineers. This trend is primarily due to the challenging circumstances that the country has undergone in recent years.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
