Striking teachers injured in Dhi Qar as education officials condemn violence on protestors

DHI QAR — The Directorate of Education in Dhi Qar governorate on Tuesday condemned the assault on teachers during a protest outside its headquarters in central Nasiriyah, as calls mounted for accountability and urgent government action.

“We denounce the assault on several members of the teaching staff during their protest to demand rights,” the directorate said in a statement. It called on authorities to “hold accountable anyone who attempted to violate the dignity of educators, who represent the foundation of building generations and serving the nation.”

The directorate also urged teachers to avoid confrontation with security forces. “We urge all of our dear educational staff to prevent escalation, avoid contact with security forces, and maintain the peaceful nature of their demands,” the statement said. “Take maximum caution to ensure safety and avoid any action that would harm the educational process.”

The protest, part of a nationwide strike that began April 6 following Eid Al-Fitr, escalated when riot police reportedly used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. The strike, led by the Coordinating Committee for the Teachers’ and Instructors’ Strike, includes educators in Baghdad, Basra, Wasit, Karbala, Kirkuk, and other cities. Teachers are demanding pay reform, housing allocations, improved benefits, and passage of the long-delayed Teacher Protection Law.

Parliament member Dawood Al-Aidan called the violence “an unacceptable transgression that violates the status of teachers and the dignity of the educational institution.”

“The use of force against teachers demanding their legitimate rights is unacceptable and demands a serious response from all relevant authorities,” Al-Aidan said. He called for an immediate investigation and legal accountability for those involved, while urging the government to meet educators’ demands, which he described as “just and legitimate.”

Ahmed Farhan Al-Khafaji, head of the parliamentary education committee, also expressed support for the protesters.

“Educators are demanding their legitimate rights in the way they see fit and within the bounds of the law guaranteed by the constitution. We reject any pressure or harm directed at them,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Dhi Qar Provincial Council member Dr. Nagham Al-Ibrahimi called for an emergency session in response to the incident. In a Facebook post, she urged the local government to convene urgently to address the situation.