RIYADH: Female teachers have demanded the same pay and status as their male counterparts, and are to file a court case against the Ministry of Education to enforce their demand.
Mona Abdul Aziz, spokeswoman for the campaign, said that teachers — both male and female — have been demanding these rights for two years as part of a campaign group established to champion the rights of teachers, regardless of gender.
She added that as a result of the initial campaign, the condition of male teachers improved but not of female teachers, and so they decided to form a separate group to attain similar conditions. The difference is attributed to the fact that female teachers come under the General Presidency of Girls Schools.
Abdul Aziz added that the demands for equality had upset male teachers who tried to silence the voice of female teachers, demanding they put a halt to their campaign. “We had to leave the group and form our own website …yet we still face resentment and aggression,” she said, adding that the group first lodged their demands with the Ministry of Education, then the Civil Services Office and finally the Ministry of Finance.
Abdul Aziz said all three bodies denied they were responsible for setting up pay scales, with each department saying this was the responsibility of the others.
Female teachers who graduated between 1994-2004 and 2005-2007, numbering over 67,000, have been worst affected, said Abdul Aziz, adding that the difference between their wages and their male counterparts was over SR5,000.
She added that the conditions of male teachers who graduated before 2001 have improved and that the conditions of female teachers who have graduated after 1995 have remained the same. Abdul Aziz added that all the teachers want is equal pay. The women hope to file the lawsuit by next month and have appointed a lawyer to represent them. “We are collecting as many powers of attorney as possible from female teachers,” said Abdul Aziz.
“Yet many are reluctant to file a case against the Ministry of Education and the reason is always a woman’s husband, father or guardian who refuses to allow her to participate, saying she should be thankful she is getting paid.”
Abdul Aziz believes that equality is a right. Statutes concerning human rights and civil service systems declare there is no difference between the job conditions and salaries of male and female teachers, said Abdul Aziz, adding, “So where do they get these unjust differences?”
