11-Point Plan to Pursue Demands of Retired Teachers

The education minister’s adviser on retirees, stressing the need to address retired teachers’ livelihood issues, announced the drafting of an 11-point plan to pursue their demands.

According to Ambassador Arjan's report, quoted by the Ministry of Education, Mohammad Saidlo, in a meeting to review the issues of retired educators, stated that retirees are still a part of the education family, and said: Addressing the situation of this group should not be limited to the payment of salaries and pensions. But maintaining the organizational relationship and benefiting from the experience of veterans should also be on the agenda.

Referring to the suggested axes for the activities of the working group for the follow-up of retirees' affairs, he stated: The issues of this group can be followed in two main areas; First, economic, livelihood and medical problems and secondly, strengthening the sense of belonging and continuing the connection of retired educators with the group they have served in for years.

Emphasizing the limitations in the field of financial resources, Saidlo said: sustainable improvement of the economic situation of retirees requires legal reforms, provision of resources and coordination with related institutions; However, education should continue to pursue these issues within the framework of its powers and capacities.

He considered the issue of medical services and supplementary insurance as one of the important axes of these follow-ups and emphasized the necessity of examining legal solutions and coordination with the national pension fund and other responsible institutions.

The advisor of the Minister of Education on the affairs of retirees also suggested that the issue of Article 85 of the Civil Service Management Law and related implementation obstacles should be investigated with the participation of the specialized departments of the ministry and related institutions in order to determine the applicable solutions to improve the services of the retirees.

Forming a communication network in provinces and regions

Criticizing the disconnection between part of the retirees and the education body, Sidlo considered it necessary to create a coherent network at the level of provinces, regions and schools. The activity of this network can help to more accurately identify the problems of retirees, inform about the actions taken, and follow up on claims more effectively.

He also emphasized the necessity of determining specific responsibilities for following up the affairs of retirees in the provinces and providing the necessary support for the activities of these people. In cases where efforts have been made to solve some issues, the lack of effective communication with the retiree community has caused these measures to not be reflected well.

11 axes for following up the affairs of retirees

The adviser to the Minister of Education further explained the proposed axes of the working group, among which we can point out the recognition of the position of retirees in the structure of the ministry, the formation of similar mechanisms in the provinces, the identification of intra-organizational and extra-organizational capacities, the removal of obstacles to the implementation of laws, coordination with related institutions, and the creation of a communication network.

He emphasized on the use of scientific, experimental, cultural and social abilities of retired educators and the design of national, provincial, regional and school programs to honor and participate in them.

Saidlo emphasized: The implementation of these programs should be realistic and appropriate to the existing capacities and not lead to the creation of unenforceable tasks for the headquarters and provincial units.

Taking advantage of the experience of retired teachers in schools

Referring to the capacity of retired educators for educational cooperation, he mentioned the possibility of using them in the form of teaching fees and considered this capacity as an opportunity for schools to benefit from the experience of veteran teachers.

Saidlo also emphasized the need for effective information about cooperation opportunities and strengthening the field of voluntary participation of retirees and said: the experience and capabilities of this group can be used in cultural and social activities in addition to the educational role.

He emphasized the necessity of converting the proposed proposals into a specific program with clear responsibilities and continuous follow-up and said: handling the affairs of retirees should go beyond the issue level and lead to measurable actions.