On Saturday, October 5, 2024, the Yemeni Teachers' Union stated that the suffering of teachers in Yemen, along with the hundreds of thousands of families they support, has "crossed the line from poverty to the brink of death."

In a statement issued on World Teachers' Day, which was reviewed by "Barran Press," the union addressed the hardships faced by educators in regions controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, as well as those under the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

The union highlighted that the celebration of World Teachers' Day finds many in the educational field living in conditions of exile, imprisonment, or even death. "For those still alive, they practice their sacred profession deprived of their most basic right: a monthly salary."

According to the union, "Teachers in Houthi-controlled areas do not receive their salaries at all. And if half of their meager salary is disbursed, it is done irregularly. Months may pass without payment, leaving teachers to endure suffering and pain. Yet, they continue to fulfill their duty to educate the youth, driven by their sense of national and humanitarian responsibility and a commitment to sustaining the educational process."

Regarding the situation of teachers in government-controlled areas, the union stated, "Even when they receive a full and regular salary, it does not meet their needs due to the devaluation of the currency and the weakened purchasing power of the Yemeni rial."

In its statement, the union called on the international community, what it termed the "global conscience," the United Nations, and relevant human rights and humanitarian organizations to exert all possible pressure on the Houthi group to promptly pay teachers and education sector employees by international law.

The union emphasized the need to reinstate all teachers whose names have been removed from payroll lists and who have been unjustly deprived of their jobs without legal justification, demanding that their full entitlements be paid retroactively and continuously.

At the same time, the union urged the "legitimate" government to prioritize and care for teachers across the country, advocating for a salary that ensures a dignified living. This would enable them to combat the specter of hunger and poverty surrounding them and their families, allowing them to perform their educational duties more effectively, thereby achieving educational goals and noble values. The union also stressed the urgent need to pay the entitlements of displaced teachers.

Additionally, the union called for the release of educators who have been detained, particularly those held in Houthi prisons for the past nine years, including prominent union leader Saad Al-Nazili, who was recently kidnapped amid celebrations of the 62nd anniversary of the September 26 Revolution for expressing their joy over this significant occasion for Yemenis.

Each year on October 5, countries around the world celebrate World Teachers' Day to honor educators and highlight their roles and contributions to quality education at all levels, as well as their invaluable contributions to community development.