Demanding increase of their salary | Teachers in Azaz stage protest and warn against collapse of education
Aleppo province: Dozens of teachers have staged a protest in front of AFAD building in Azaz area in the northern countryside of Aleppo, demanding improvement in their conditions in light of the decline in the Turkish lira exchanging rate against the US dollar. The protesting teachers have called for an increase in their monthly salaries and raised concerns over the collapse of the educational process in the area.
Protesters have held placards with slogans written on them emphasizing the continuity of their protests until their demands are fulfiled.
In north-western Syria, the Turkish lira hit a new record low against the US dollar, as a Turkish lira against the US dollar recorded 13 TL, after it had recorded six TL a few months ago.
The monthly salary of the teacher is estimated at nearly 750 Turkish lira, equivalent to 60 USD, while the average expenses for a family are nearly 150 USD per month.
On November 13, SOHR activists reported that teachers, subordinate by Education Directorate of the “Syrian Interim Government” in “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch” areas, called for a general strike tomorrow, Thursday, protesting the insufficient salaries of teachers in the areas controlled by the “Syrian Interim Government” in Aleppo countryside.
On the other hand, several teachers announced joining the protests launched in al-Bab city and Qabasin town. Also, many teachers in Azaz city responded to the calls of Education administration workers in al-Bab city and countryside.
The teachers confirmed that they would participate in the strike individually in the case that the Education Directorate in Azaz city didn’t issue a statement regarding the increase of their salaries.
The calls for general strike came as a protest against the low monthly salaries of teachers that did not exceed 750 Turkish Liras each, about 80 USD. The teachers demanded to increase the salaries to 2,000 Turkish Liras, so that they could deal with the high prices of most of food supplies and essential products.
The teachers threatened to escalate their protests, if their demands are not applied, as they demanded comprehensive improvement of the educational situation and regular increase of their monthly salaries. The teachers also confirmed they would not keep silent, if the Education Directorate exerted pressure on them.