Lebanese teachers announce strike over school enrollment policies

The Association of Basic Education Teachers in Lebanon has announced a strike scheduled for Thursday, protesting against the Ministry of Education's current policies and the treatment of educators.

The association expressed outrage over decisions to open some public schools for afternoon sessions to accommodate Syrian students while Lebanese students remain unable to enroll in certain schools. The group emphasized that Lebanese students must be the priority and stated they will not accept evening shifts until contracted and auxiliary teachers are properly integrated into the morning sessions.

Member of Parliament Edgar Traboulsi, rapporteur of the Parliamentary Education Committee, criticized the Minister of Education's plan, stating it does not align with the annual school calendar. He warned that halting registration at the start of the school year causes confusion and student dropout. Traboulsi also addressed the complex issue of faculty tenure at the Lebanese University, noting that the file has become complicated by legal disputes and potential corruption concerns, affecting approximately 1,200 professors.