The Sectoral Administrative Commission for Basic Education decided on Tuesday to engage in a new standoff with the Ministry of Education. Gathered in Tunis, its members validated a sectoral strike for January 26, 2026 and a national “day of anger” during the winter holidays. This decision comes after the impasse in negotiations around several issues deemed priorities by teachers.
Blocking of discussions and urgent demands
According to Ikbel Azzabi, deputy secretary general of the General Federation of Basic Education, the commission meeting noted “a total blockage” in exchanges with the ministry, accused of refusing a “serious and responsible” dialogue. The union criticizes the authorities in particular for not responding to the professional motion tabled since the last congress.
Among the central demands are the increase in salaries, the preservation of purchasing power and the acceleration of the payment of compensation due to qualified teachers.
The promotions file also remains pending, as does the application of the agreements concluded with the social partners, in particular the agreement on category A3 providing for the reduction of the weekly hourly volume from 25 to 18 hours.
The union also calls for the opening of regular discussions with professional organizations, respect for trade union rights, increased numbers in schools and deeper reform of the education system.
Tense climate before the winter holidays
The “day of anger”, the precise date of which will be revealed in the coming days, will be held during the winter holidays, between December 22, 2025 and January 4, 2026. It will be followed by a national sectoral strike on January 26, the culmination of a movement which could disrupt the start of the second part of the school year if no agreement is found.
The unions believe that only a rapid and constructive resumption of talks could avoid an escalation. For their part, teachers, already faced with a drop in their purchasing power and an overload of work, see this mobilization as a last resort.
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