Mohamed Lahri, Rabat
When I was a little kid I came across the expression "human rights" many times. I first thought that this means that all human beings shall be treated equally, regardless of their race, religion, cultural-background, etc. Yet through time, I realized that I was totally wrong.
People in Palestine, even little kids, are treated in a brutal manner every day, and few react against that. I have always been watching Morocco, my country`s reaction and I felt proud that I belong to a country which values rights. But then, I felt that I was mistaken, as well.
Thousands of Moroccan teachers have been on strike for more than 60 days in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. They are calling for their rights; they are not asking for a higher salary or any extra services.
All they want is simply to be treated equally as all other teachers. The latter were automatically promoted to a higher pay-grade because of their degrees (BA and master degrees) but the former, although they hold the same degrees, were not. Many of them are forced to teach in high schools or middle schools (this is for primary school teachers) without being paid.
Now they ask for a simple right, a promotion, that they are supposed to take a professional exam for. According to the ministry of education, not all teachers are qualified and only 11% deserve promotion. More than that, teachers who pass shall be appointed in new areas, that is, new schools. Is this real equality?
Unfortunately, few sympathize with those teachers who are suffering, not only from the cold, financial problems, and low self-esteem, but are also brutally treated by police forces.
Then, I realized that there was a little problem that caused bigger ones; instead of human rights, we should call it ‘HUMILATION rights.”
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