Egypt's government approved an incentives raise for teachers that is less than in other public sectors, leaving them unsatisfied and many are striking tomorrow, Sunday, against a badly-deteriorated education system The Egyptian ministry of finance (MOF) has approved controls to disburse performance incentives for teachers as per a Cabinet decree last August, according to the state run news agency, MENA. Such a decision by MOF should signify that application of the decree has commenced. Teachers have been granted a different incentive increases than other public employees, who have seen their monthly incentive bonus grow by 200 per cent. Calls for teacher strikes today, however, reveal their dissatisfaction with the cabinet's efforts. Teachers, along with university professors, public transportation drivers and post office employees are calling for a collective strike on Sunday to demand better compensation. The Independent Teachers Syndicate released a statement last week, reiterating their demands: firstly, the resignation of Education Minister Ahmed Gamal Eddin Moussa, an increase in salaries and the securing of employees' tenure. The teachers' nationwide strike would coincide with the start of the academic term –proving highly disruptive. The ministry of finance incentives grants teachers a monthly incentive bonus ranging from 25 per cent to 75 per cent of basic salary depending on rank, effective July 2011.
