The board of the recently suspended Jordan Teachers’ Syndicate has accused the government of failing to uphold agreed terms following protest action last Autumn, said the Minister of Education, Tayseer al-Nuaimi.

During a press conference on Monday, he said the teachers’ union had not submitted any constructive proposals to the ministry on ways to improve the education system.

He said the ministry had always been, and always will be, open to constructive criticism and suggestions for development from anyone, adding that dialogue is the only way to reach a mutual understanding that serves teachers, students and society.

He took the opportunity to outline a raft of new measures which included the delivery date of teachers’ bonuses, scheduled for January 1, 2021, and that Tawjihi exam supervisors will receive pay rises totalling JD 5 million.

Jordanian teachers working abroad will be eligible to social security benefits, said Nuaimi.

A modification to the teachers ranking system has also been announced, which declares jobs in the education sector as “difficult” professions.

All penalties imposed on teachers as a result of the strike were cancelled.

A training academy for the teachers’ union has been accredited and licensed in accordance with the programs and guidelines of the ministry.

Teachers have been allowed to seek healthcare in military hospitals under their existing health insurance.

The time period that teachers can benefit from grants has been reduced from ten years to five.