Dialogue Continuing to Solve the Issue of Dismissed Teachers, Says UNRWA
Ramallah, MINA– Dialogue between the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and teachers who were dismissed for not obtaining a university degree is underway to find a workable solution for their status, UNRWA spokesman Sami Mushasha told WAFA on Thursday.
A total of 158 Palestinians lost their jobs as teachers in UNRWA-run schools in the West Bank because they carry a two-year college diploma and not the four-year bachelor degree they are supposed to have to continue as teachers.
UNRWA said that the 158 teachers in question were supposed to obtain a bachelor degree by a certain time if they were going to continue teaching, and since they did not, they were notified that they will be dismissed.
As a result, the teachers in the West Bank said it will declare an open-ended general strike in UNRWA schools unless the UN agency goes back on its decision.
Mushasha said UNRWA was holding intensive talks with representatives of the teachers to find a workable solution to this crisis, stressing that the talks have not failed and that there is still room for further dialogue.
He appealed to “avoid talking about a strike and obstructing work and services provided to refugees by UNRWA, especially at these difficult times, and allow for dialogue and talks to continue on the most effective way to come out with a solution acceptable to all in relation to the teachers with diploma.”
The UNRWA spokesman rejected accusations that the UN agency was conspiring against the refugees, considering these accusations as “baseless and dangerous.” He said UNRWA’s role and mandate continues with the same determination and clarity, stressing that UNRWA’s decision regarding the 158 teachers is not tied to any other development and is based on UNRWA’s intentions to strengthen the educational system as a whole.
He said efforts by UNRWA and its senior staff “are focused on ensuring the financial security of the Agency in order to continue to serve the refugees in the coming year and the following ones.” )T/RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
