Teachers continue demonstrations

Teachers continue demonstrations Cairo – Mohammed Alloush Group of Egyptian teachers have been demonstrating in front of the cabinet headquarters requesting the government to officially activate the cadre. Some teachers said to Arabstoday that Essam Sharaf’s government approved an incentive for teachers last year which was rated at 200% of their salary. However this was not acted upon.
The Egyptian President, Mohamed Morsi decided to activate 100% of the teacher’s cadre on Sunday. He decided that the first half would be paid in October and the second in January. The protestors said that these decisions are the painkiller-technique being used by the Education Minister, the Prime Minister and the President himself.
The teachers want an approval on the cadre with the same conditions; including that the senior teachers get 3,000 Egyptian pounds plus 175% bonus and the first-class teachers receive 2,500 Egyptian pounds plus 150% bonus. However, the Prime Minister refused this.
The teachers were angered by this decision stating that they should not have to beg for their money. They insisted that their cadre to be legally ratified as soon as possible adding: “We are aware of the financial crisis experienced by Egypt, yet we want a plane to raise the salaries. We also insist on the activation of the cadre in accordance with the cadre of the university professors.”
A source said that the application of the cadre will be implemented through a number of stages; the ministry of education shall bear the responsibility of the first phase at its own expense as the increase to be acquired by the teachers will not exceed 50% of the basic salary due to the inadequacy of the Ministry\'s budget.