Teachers Syndicate: We Reiterate Our Support for Teachers in Defense of Their Rights

The Teachers Syndicate issued a statement to male and female teachers on the eve of the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, stating:

"In light of the difficult security, economic, and living conditions that members of the educational body continue to face, accompanied by increasing professional and social pressures, and with the approaching end of the current academic year 2025-2026, the Syndicate reiterates its affirmation of standing with male and female teachers in defense of their rights and legal entitlements.

Whereas the fifth of July of each year constitutes a fundamental legal milestone in the contractual relationship between members of the educational body and private school administrations, as contracts are automatically renewed upon the expiry of this date unless they are terminated or ended according to legal procedures, the Syndicate deems it important to place in the hands of male and female colleagues a set of basic legal guidelines, and to alert them to some common errors that may lead to the loss or diminution of rights, out of concern for their protection and the fortification of their legal status before any problem occurs.

Any treatment of the educational crisis cannot be carried out at the expense of the rights of members of the educational body who have borne over the years the burdens of economic collapse and the decline in purchasing power, and have continued to perform their educational mission despite the war conditions and exceptional circumstances that Lebanon is going through.

1 - Resignation

If you wish to resign and thus not renew your contract for the 2026-2027 academic year, you must submit your resignation before the fifth of July 2026 (i.e., on the fourth of July at the latest), otherwise contracts will be automatically renewed for the next academic year.

It advised that the resignation be in writing, and that the school principal or his representative sign a copy of it proving the date of receipt before July 5, 2026.

2 - Dismissal from Service

Article 29 of the Law Regulating the Educational Body in Private Schools of 1956 still allows the school principal to dismiss members of the educational body from service, but subject to three basic conditions:

1. The dismissal must be in writing and not orally.

2. The dismissal letter must be notified before July 5, 2026 (i.e., on July 4 at the latest).

3. The dismissal must not constitute an abuse of right.

If you receive the dismissal letter, it is advisable to write the date of notification in your own handwriting next to your signature.

If the dismissal letter refers to Article 26 of the 1956 Law (disciplinary dismissal), you must file an objection before the Disciplinary Body (the Body's registry at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education) within a period of twenty days from the date of notification.

If the dismissal letter is based on Article 29, you must refer to the Summary Judge within whose jurisdiction the school center falls, within a period of two months from the date of notification, to claim additional compensation where appropriate, under penalty of forfeiture of the right.

Disguised Dismissal as Resignation

No party can force you to submit a resignation if you do not wish to do so, because resignation is a voluntary act that belongs exclusively to the male or female teacher.

Also, resignation deprives its owner of compensation, unless it is based on Article 31 of the law, in which case it is considered a "request for dismissal from service," in the following cases:

1. Marriage of female members of the educational body.

2. Reaching the legal age (64 years).

3. Practicing teaching for 25 continuous years.

4. Suffering from an illness that prevents continuing work.

Members of the educational body who are on the payroll and have completed fifty-five years of age and have completed at least thirty years of uninterrupted service may, upon the end of their service and at their request, choose between dismissal compensation and a retirement pension, provided that all due contributions to the Compensation Fund for their previous service are paid in full.

3 - The School Year

The school year legally ends on September 30, 2026, although actual teaching ends during the month of June.

Accordingly, salaries for the months of July, August, and September 2026 remain due and are paid to the male or female teacher, even in the case of resignation or dismissal from service, according to the applicable legal provisions.

4- Not signing any document before consulting the Syndicate. The Syndicate advises all members of the educational body not to sign any document, undertaking, release, resignation, or settlement related to their contractual relationship with the school before consulting the Syndicate or consulting a competent legal authority, in order to preserve their rights and prevent any confusion or unintentional waiver of rights guaranteed by law.

5- It called upon all female and male colleagues to be aware of the specified legal deadlines, not to rush into any decision concerning their professional future, and to communicate with the Syndicate regarding any inquiry or problem, affirming its role in defending rights and preserving the professional dignity of the teacher. The Teachers Syndicate reminds private school administrations of the necessity to respect all the rights of members of the educational body, and not to infringe upon them under any pretext or circumstance.

7- Affirming the right of teachers who meet the legal conditions to benefit from reduction hours according to the applicable provisions, considering it a right established under current legislation, not a favor or privilege granted or withheld by the administration.

8- The Syndicate affirmed the necessity for schools to comply with what the law stipulates regarding the full and non-fragmented exemption of the children of members of the educational body from the prescribed school fees in the schools where their parents work, and not to use it as a means of pressure on male or female teachers".