Teachers in Libya have escalated a protest that began on September 13 into a nationwide strike, forcing schools to remain closed and delaying the start of the academic year. The walkout started in Tripoli, where educators staged sit‑ins outside schools and government offices, and quickly spread to Benghazi and other regions.
Union leaders cite low pay and deteriorating facilities
Mustafa Al‑Bahilil, head of the teachers union in the Tripoli suburb of Ain Zara, said the demands are not merely requests but basic rights that must be honored. He pointed to salaries that fail to cover basic living costs and classrooms lacking essential equipment such as functional computer labs and usable desks.
In Benghazi, union chief Mohammed Al‑Jahawi added that soaring food prices and other expenses have left many teachers unable to meet their families’ needs, prompting the strike.
Impact on families and schools
Parents are expressing deep concern. Salah Awad, a 47‑year‑old father of three students in Benghazi, said he hopes the teachers’ grievances will be addressed but fears the prolonged disruption will hurt students’ learning.
Many teachers have taken second jobs to supplement their incomes. Tripoli teacher Hamza al‑Firjani described promises from officials as “fake promises,” underscoring the frustration felt by educators.
Broader context of instability
The strike adds to a series of challenges Libya has faced since the 2011 NATO‑backed uprising that removed Muammar Gaddafi. The country continues to experience power outages, labor unrest at its largest oilfield, and a political split between rival administrations in the east and west that has persisted since a 2014 civil war.
The Ministry of Education has not responded to requests for comment.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
