Michigan- The American Center for Justice (ACJ) expresses grave concern over the deteriorating conditions of teachers in areas controlled by the Houthi group in Yemen. Their suffering has been compounded by the suspension of salaries for over seven years. The ACJ highlights that this crisis has led to persistent strikes and protests by teachers, who are demanding their fundamental right to receive wages that are vital for their families’ survival.

According to confirmed reports, teachers in Sana’a began a strike in several schools on Monday, calling for the payment of their overdue salaries. This is not the first such strike; teachers have organized multiple protests in the past, which were met with accusations of treason against the striking educators and oppressive measures by the Houthi group. These included threats of arbitrary dismissal, arrests, and intimidation. Among those arrested was Abu Zaid Al-Kameem, head of the Teachers’ Club, whose health deteriorated while in detention. He was released only after sustained pressure and campaigns demanding his freedom.

The Houthi group had previously established a “Teacher Support Fund,” which collects billions of Yemeni riyals monthly from fees imposed on students each semester. These fees amount to 4,000 riyals per student, in addition to revenue from customs, taxes, and increased prices on consumer goods, all under the pretext of supporting education. However, none of these funds have been directed to the teachers. Furthermore, compulsory fees labeled as “community contributions” are imposed on students and their families, yet there has been no noticeable improvement in teachers’ conditions or the quality of education.

Faced with these harsh circumstances, teachers in Sana’a and other cities have been forced to organize widespread strikes to demand the payment of overdue salaries and greater support for the educational process. Many teachers lack basic teaching supplies, such as chalk and paper, while the Houthi group continues to disregard these legitimate demands, allocating significant resources to loyalists in high-ranking positions, as reported by human rights and media organizations.

The American Center for Justice (ACJ) calls on the international community and the United Nations to pressure the Houthi group to resume regular payments of teachers' salaries, settle overdue payments, halt all forms of intimidation and arbitrary arrests against teachers, and ensure that revenue generated from education-related fees is used to support teachers and improve the education system.

The ACJ also urges all parties to protect education as a fundamental right for every child and uphold the dignity of teachers, who are essential to shaping Yemen’s future.