The Houthis faced the demands of teachers to pay their salaries by imposing additional taxes on electricity and mobile phones for the so-called "Teachers' Support Fund."
The Houthis aim to cover the deficit in the Fund and disburse simple incentives to teachers after the revenues were directed to finance sectarian schools.
The Finance Minister in the unrecognized Houthi government imposed two Yemeni riyals on each kilowatt of consumed electricity for the Teachers' Support Fund, which is supervised by Yahya al-Houthi, the leader's brother.
Another document, issued by the Minister of Communications in the coup government, showed a tax of YR1 imposed on mobile phones; there are over seven million subscribers.
Sources in the education sector told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis spent the revenues on the Fund on private sectarian education schools known as the "Schools of the Martyred Leader."
They indicated that the group imposed new taxes to cover the deficit and contain the teachers' protests by disbursing a monthly bonus of $50 instead of salaries.
The Teachers Club categorically rejected any Houthi efforts to circumvent their demands to pay the teachers' salaries monthly, similar to senior Houthi officials, unrecognized government members, the so-called "House of Representatives and Shura Council," and other leaders.
They confirmed that proceeds from the Teachers' Support Fund are incentives due to teachers but not a substitute for their salaries.
- Spending on sectarian education
Despite the persecution, arrests, and threats against teachers, the club adhered to its position and appealed to the free people of the world and activists to support them in their cause and pressure Houthis to pay their salaries that have been cut for seven years.
Saleh Abdullah, a teacher, said that never in history has an authority established private schools for its followers and provided them with accommodation, food, and an educational system while leaving the people ravaged by ignorance, poverty, and disease.
He indicated that public schools are without books, all the teachers are without salaries, and most people are hungry and exhausted.
Yahya Nasser, a teacher participating in the strike, asserted that the lavish spending in these schools blows up all the Houthis' lies about the lack of funds to pay teachers' salaries and provide textbooks.
Nasser explained that these schools grant enrollees free housing and food for three years, books and curricula, education halls equipped with the latest teaching aids, and sports stadiums.
In turn, the Yemeni Teachers Syndicate announced its support for the teachers' protest in Houthi-controlled areas to achieve their legal and humanitarian rights.
It called on all educational unions to unite their ranks and demand their rights.
The Syndicate expressed its surprise over the Houthi leader's silence regarding the grievances of male and female teachers and most workers in various sectors and the suspension of their salaries.
It stated that billions of Yemeni riyals are being collected for the Teacher's Fund.
The Syndicate asserted its continued fight for teachers' rights and lifted the United Nations to pressure the Houthis to disburse salaries quickly.
