Bonus fears spark 2,500 retirement requests at Ministry of Education
The number of retirement requests in primary schools in the Capital Educational Area alone reached 72, including principals, assistant principals, and department heads.
• One primary school saw its principal, three assistant principals, and a department head all request retirement, which could leave the school’s administration entirely vacant if their requests are approved.
Despite the Civil Service Bureau denying any cancellation or reduction of end-of-service bonuses, concerns over the reward continue to trouble Ministry of Education employees.
According to educational sources, the situation has worsened, with over 2,500 retirement requests from supervisors submitted since the start of the summer break and the beginning of the new school year, Al Jaridanewspaper reported.
In addition, sources revealed that the number of retirement requests in primary schools in the Capital Educational Area alone reached 72, including principals, assistant principals, and department heads. They explained that since the start of the school year on the 8th, the number of retirement applications processed by the End-of-Service Section in the Ministry’s General Office has exceeded 500.
The sources noted that the retirement statements prepared in various school districts indicate a real crisis. For example, one primary school saw its principal, three assistant principals, and a department head all request retirement, which could leave the school’s administration entirely vacant if their requests are approved.
During the summer break, about 500 employees requested retirement, with an additional 500 since the school year began.
Sources explained that many schools will be left without leadership, as the lack of principals will negatively impact the educational process. They noted that the high number of retirement requests at the primary level in the capital alone suggests similar trends at other school levels and in other educational areas. This means that approximately 500 school supervisors are seeking retirement, in addition to the requests submitted by district officials, placing the ministry in a difficult position for the upcoming school year.
The sources added that the end-of-service bonus issue is not the only reason for the surge in retirement requests. The implementation of the three-fingerprint system, along with the possibility of compulsory retirement for those with thirty years of service, has also contributed to the increase. Many employees fear losing their bonus if mandatory retirement is enforced next year, which has prompted them to retire earlier than planned.
The sources pointed out that the number of employees wishing to retire is increasing daily, adding that Ministry of Education employees appointed before 2014 receive their end-of-service bonuses directly from the ministry, not the Civil Service Bureau. Therefore, the bureau’s denial does not apply to this group, leaving them in a state of confusion.
