The Education Ministry called the decision by high school and junior high school teachers to strike the first day of school Wednesday “disgraceful.” The Ministry said that there was no truth in the claims of teachers that there had been no progress in negotiations on a new contract with teachers, and that in fact a labor court had certified that substantial progress was being made, and that teachers had no reason to strike.

The Ministry called on all students to attend class Wednesday, saying that arrangements would be made to ensure that the first day of school went as smoothly as possible. Teachers who do not report for work will have their salaries docked, the Ministry added.