Full Breakdown
Yemen's Teachers Face Economic Collapse Amid Ongoing Conflict
4/8/2026, 3:20:49 PM
The Crisis of Teacher Salaries in Yemen
Yemen's education sector is in a state of crisis, primarily due to the ongoing conflict that has severely impacted the economy. Teachers like Mohammed Salem, who has 31 years of experience, are forced to juggle multiple jobs to survive. Despite working from morning until night, he earns only about $130 a month, a significant drop from the $320 he made a decade ago. The devaluation of the Yemeni riyal, which has plummeted from approximately 215 to about 2,900 to the dollar, has exacerbated the situation, leaving many educators struggling to provide for their families.
Background: The Impact of War on Education
Since the war began, the Houthis, who control northern regions including the capital Sanaa, have not paid public sector salaries since late 2016. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, based in Aden, has also failed to provide regular wages, citing dwindling revenues due to Houthi attacks on oil facilities. As a result, approximately 193,668 teachers, nearly two-thirds of the national total, have received no salaries, leading to widespread frustration and desperation among educators.
Survival Strategies of Teachers
Faced with meager and irregular incomes, teachers have adopted harsh survival strategies. Many families are skipping meals and cutting out essential food items like meat and dairy. Mohammed's family, for instance, often relies on rice and potatoes, and he has even asked one of his children to join the military for a more stable income. Other teachers, like Hana al-Rubaki, report that their salaries barely cover expenses for a few days, forcing them to live paycheck to paycheck.
Protests and Government Response
Teachers have staged protests and strikes across government-controlled areas to demand better pay. However, the Yemeni government has largely left the issue to provincial authorities, resulting in inconsistent responses. In some regions, modest salary increases have been approved, but these vary widely and are often insufficient to meet the rising cost of living. Abdullah al-Khanbashi, head of the teachers' union in Hadramout, emphasized that teachers are showing up in torn clothing, and many families have been evicted due to unpaid rent.
Conflicting Reports on Government Actions
While the Yemeni government acknowledges the issue of low salaries, it attributes the problem to weak financial resources caused by the war. Tareq Salem al-Akbari, former education minister, stated that the ongoing instability has undermined revenue streams. In contrast, teachers express skepticism about the government's commitment to resolving their plight, warning that many may abandon the profession if better-paying opportunities arise.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We now live just to survive, rather than to teach.” — Mohammed Salem, Teacher
- “Delayed salaries disrupt our daily lives and leave me struggling to meet even my most basic needs.” — Hana al-Rubaki, Teacher
- “A teacher’s salary should be equal to that of a minister.” — Abdullah al-Bazeli, Head of Teachers' Union in Marib
The situation for teachers in Yemen remains dire, with many struggling to support their families amidst a collapsing economy and ongoing conflict. As protests continue, the future of education in Yemen hangs in the balance, with millions of children deprived of their right to learn.
