Libya: Teacher strike leaves 1.6 million students out of school

The 2026-2027 academic year in Libya remains severely disrupted as a nationwide teachers' strike, which began on September 13, continues to halt operations in public schools. Approximately 1.6 million students are affected by the protest, while private institutions remain unaffected. Teachers are demanding the implementation of the 2018 salary law, payment of financial arrears, improved working conditions, and health insurance. Despite multiple attempts by authorities in both Tripoli and the east to urge a return to classrooms, the General Teachers' Union insists that the strike will continue until their demands are formalized. The crisis highlights deeper issues, including crumbling school infrastructure and institutional division. While local reopenings have been attempted in some municipalities, the lack of a comprehensive national agreement keeps the school calendar in jeopardy, sparking concerns among parents regarding the academic future of their children.