Manama: Dozens of female teachers in Qatar have applied to change their job, citing uncertainty about their future, combined with a heavy workload, as the reasons.
The rush was sparked by a government announcement last week that teachers may take up other public sector jobs, Qatari daily Al Arab reported.
"Three floors of the government's human resources building were filled with dozens of teachers who wanted new jobs that would give them professional security," the paper wrote.
More teachers are expected to apply to leave their current positions, compounding pressure on the schools to find temporary and long-term substitutes.
Concern about their future in the profession were cited as the main reason for the teachers' move. Long school days and the obligation to attend workshops and activities outside regular working hours were also cited by teachers to explain their decision to look for new jobs.
"There have been promises since last year about a teachers' statute that states promotions and financial rewards among other things, but nothing has materialised yet," one teacher was quoted as saying.
Another complained about "sudden transfers" forcing them to take up positions away from home.
However, Al Arab newspaper said the government has refused the applications of Maths, Physics, Science and English on the grounds that schools have an acute shortage of instructors in the subjects.
"These teachers will either accept to continue teaching or resign," the paper added.
