Libya teachers launch nationwide strike over pay and benefits

Public sector teachers in Libya have launched a nationwide strike, disrupting the education of approximately 1.6 million primary and secondary students. The industrial action, which began at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, follows a delayed school reopening that was pushed from September 6 to September 13.

The General Teachers’ Union is coordinating the movement, with recent meetings in Tripoli to plan further escalations, including mass protests outside the headquarters of the interim Government of National Unity. Teachers have rejected proposals to end the strike until the government issues official decisions regarding their demands.

Key grievances include salary increases to combat rising living costs, the payment of outstanding salary arrears and financial entitlements, the introduction of teaching allowances, and the implementation of comprehensive health insurance for educators and their families. Current monthly salaries for public sector teachers are reported to range between 1,000 and 2,500 Libyan dinars.

The Ministry of Education has expressed concern over lost instructional time and is considering measures to compensate for missed lessons, such as potentially canceling mid-year exams.