"Abnormal Situation": Teachers in Lithuania Protest Against Colleague's Dismissal
Teachers in Lithuania are protesting the dismissal of a colleague, claiming it is a form of pressure and retaliation against her leadership in the local teachers' union.
In Lithuania, a group of teachers at a gymnasium are protesting following the dismissal of a colleague, which was justified by complaints regarding alleged inappropriate conduct towards students. The dismissed teacher, who is also the head of the local teachers' union, perceives her dismissal as an act of retribution and pressure against her association with the union. In response to the situation, 17 out of 80 teachers at the school have refused to teach classes, demanding the reinstatement of their colleague and the formation of an independent commission to investigate the circumstances of her dismissal. They have not ruled out the possibility of a strike if their demands are not met.
The situation escalated when students called the police, claiming that the protesting teachers were violating public order. Reports indicate that students accused the teachers of filming them without consent and sharing the footage online. However, the police have stated that they found no evidence to support these allegations. Meanwhile, parents of students have expressed concern that the ongoing protests may disrupt the educational environment and hinder their children's learning processes. This situation unfolds as part of broader tensions within the education sector in Lithuania, raising questions about teacher rights, workplace conditions, and the role of unions in such disputes.