Tunis: Authorities in Tunisia announced on Monday that 17,000 teachers' salaries have been suspended and 350 school principals have been fired as a result of protests calling for pay increases.

The salary suspensions, which could affect about 30% of the nation's primary school teachers, will intensify the nation's conflict with the powerful UGTT union as its citizens struggle with a severe economic crisis.

Teachers across the nation have chosen not to submit student grades as part of their protest. According to Education Minister Mahamed Ali Bougdiri, "the students' failure to receive school grades is a disaster and a crime against children."

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A union official, Ikbel Azzabi, told Reuters that Tunisia's decision aims at "starving teachers," and that the upcoming academic year would be challenging due to anticipated protest movements. Already, hundreds of school administrators have begun to submit their resignations.

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The country's public finances, according to the education ministry, prevent the approval of the teachers' requests.

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Numerous thousands of families are already dealing with high inflation, subpar public services, and the loss of several staple foods, so they are concerned that the conflict between the ministry and union will exacerbate the country's current crisis and threaten a tumultuous new school year.