Basra education directorate enforces stricter protections for teaching staff

BASRA — The Basra Directorate of Education issued a directive Tuesday to schools, higher education institutes, and kindergartens, emphasizing ‘full’ enforcement of law on the protection of teachers, instructors, and supervisors.

The directive stressed that no leniency will be shown toward any form of assault or abuse against educational staff.

The document stated: “We stress the absolute and full adherence to the of law on the protection of teachers, instructors, and educational and guidance staff. There should be no leniency in applying its provisions against any assault, abuse, or offense targeting educational staff.”

It also called on general education directors to take immediate legal action against any individual who verbally or physically assaults teachers or staff, regardless of their position or status. The directive added that any failure or negligence in taking appropriate legal measures would be considered a serious violation and subject to administrative and legal accountability.

The document concluded that undermining the dignity of teachers constitutes a breach of the law and the principles of the educational institution.

Several cases of assaults on teaching staff were seen across Iraq. In early November, police in Baghdad said they arrested four young men accused of attacking a teacher in the city’s Al-Hurriya neighborhood after video footage of the incident circulated online.

That case was part of a growing pattern of violence against educators across Iraq. On Sept. 25, Baghdad Operations Command said five people were detained for assaulting a school principal in Sadr City after a fight broke out during school hours. A day earlier, Karbala police arrested a parent accused of attacking a teacher at a private school, describing the assault as “an attack on the prestige of the educational institution and the dignity of teachers.”