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Termination of Contracts for 812 Teachers in Idlib Threatens Hundreds of Families’ Livelihoods
A total of 812 teachers working under contracts with the Idlib Directorate of Education face the loss of their jobs after a decision was reportedly made to terminate their contracts and exclude them from renewal, according to *Zaman al-Wasl*.
The teachers were hired through a competition announced by the Ministry of Education in 2021 for positions within the Idlib Directorate of Education. However, the decision to terminate their contracts came as approximately 31,000 other contracts nationwide were being renewed, prompting widespread frustration among those affected.
According to the newspaper, the crisis has deepened because of conflicting positions among the relevant authorities. The governor of Idlib and the director of education reportedly oppose renewing the contracts, while the education minister insists that the teachers return to their governorates of origin. The education directorates in Hama and Latakia have also rejected proposals to transfer them, despite the reported availability of vacancies, leaving the teachers without a clear solution.
The teachers fear that ending their contracts will worsen their living conditions, particularly since their salaries represent the primary—or only—source of income for hundreds of families amid the country’s difficult economic circumstances.
The affected teachers have called on the Ministry of Education, the government, and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently, reconsider the decision, and ensure their continued employment by renewing their contracts or transferring them to directorates where vacancies are available. They stressed that resolving the issue has become an urgent humanitarian and economic necessity.
