A statement from Al-Jazirah State’s Education Director suggesting that armed groups could replace striking teachers has sparked outrage.
The remarks came amid a salary crisis that has left teachers unpaid since 2022, disrupting schools across multiple states.
The Director specifically mentioned the “Al-Baraaoun” and “Sudan Shield” groups as potential stand-ins if teachers continue pressing for their overdue wages, alarming education workers.
Teachers’ committees quickly condemned the proposal, calling it an insult to the profession and an attack on union representation.
Sami al-Baqir, a committee spokesperson, said more than 81,000 primary, over 16,000 intermediate, and more than 300 preschool teachers in Gezira State have been affected by unpaid salaries.
Arrears include cash and clothing allowances dating back to 2022, 14 months of unpaid wages, and holiday bonuses, he added.
Al-Baqir warned that the director’s comments could undermine professional integrity and destabilise schools across the state.
The Teachers’ Committee highlighted a pattern, noting that similar threats in the past involved the Rapid Support Forces, pointing to a militarised approach to labor disputes.
The committee urged authorities to protect workers’ rights and ensure a safe environment for students, rejecting any military role in education.
It called on the government to prioritise wages and job security, stressing that education issues should be resolved through dialogue, not intimidation.
The controversy has sparked wider public debate over how authorities handle crises in the education sector and teachers’ long-standing grievances.
So far, officials have not issued a formal response, leaving teachers and parents anxiously awaiting clarity on the future of schools.
