CAIRO – Hundreds of teachers from Al-Azhar University today blocked Saleh Salem Road and surrounded the Al-Azhar headquarters. Police forces thwarted an attempt to attack the headquarters. The protestors built a stage outside Al-Azhar and voiced their demands over a PA system. They also shouted slogans and demanded that the police forces leave the premises. Demands include: the fixing of work for all contractors, the increase of salaries for teachers so as to equalize them with teachers in the Ministry of Education, and to separate bonuses from developing teachers in the skills payoff program. Protestors also asked for more fixed teacher promotions, an end to “career failure” and for the 50 EGP (U.S. $8.38) that has been deducted since July 2009. Some protestors staged a siege on Al-Azhar through the main gate – against the protests of others – to give officials at the University a chance to meet demands. Protestors threatened escalation if demands remain unmet.
