Categories: Society

Tunisia-Safi: “We appreciate efforts by various parties to recruit assistant teachers, but..”

Speaking to Tunisie Numérique, Secretary-General of the University of Secondary Education Mohamed Al-Safi, reacted to the Minister of Education’s statements concerning the Ministry’s efforts to eliminate vulnerable employment. He mentioned a shift in the recent pace of statements from the supervisory authority, voicing dissatisfaction with unfulfilled pledges made to assistant teachers.

He noted that guarantees had been given to assistant teachers for about eight months, promising secondment, a 12-month contract, and a pay increase. While the salary increase did materialize, the Ministry of Education failed to fulfil the rest of its obligations. Al-Safi stressed the necessity for dialogue and partnership between the university and the ministry, as dialogue is the most effective way to address such situations.

The General Secretary underlined the precarious employment of nearly 8,000 professors who have been assistants for 15 years, some surpassing the legal age for assignment to public service. He called on the Ministry of Education to engage in negotiations to overcome obstacles and fix the issue.

Al-Safi also criticized the current situation, describing it as “enslavement and disrespect for the dignity of the teacher,” which he finds shameful for those working in Tunisia.