Education Ministry: Work centers after long vacations to be determined based on school needs
Minister of Education, Engineer Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, issued a decision regarding the determination of the workplace of teaching and administrative staff in general education schools following their return from long leaves. The Ministry of Education clarified that the decision stipulates that the workplace of teaching and administrative staff in general education schools will be determined after their return from long leaves, in accordance with the school’s operational needs to which the employee is assigned. It noted that there is no absolute legal obligation compelling the Education Sector to keep an employee in their designated workplace, location, or department after returning from a long leave, provided that the transfer or change decision complies with legal regulations and does not constitute a disguised punishment.
The Ministry explained that the Education Sector possesses broad discretionary authority to organize work flow and distribute employees, in line with public interest and operational requirements. It pointed out that an employee’s absence during a long leave—such as maternity leave, study leave, or long-term sick leave—may necessitate filling the vacancy with a substitute or restructuring the department during that period. It emphasized that such measures fall within the organizational powers granted to the Education Sector, ensuring the continuity of operations and the regular functioning of the public service, while adhering to the legal regulations governing transfer decisions and the determination of workplaces.
The Ministry of Education added that the organization and distribution of teaching and administrative staff are linked to the actual operational needs of schools and departments, enabling the competent authority to address changes resulting from prolonged absences and to ensure the continued performance of tasks and responsibilities assigned to the various sectors of the educational establishment.
