Teachers were quoted by NRT as saying that a number of their coworkers had boycotted classes and refused to instruct for half the semester, reiterating that they would not return to classes until they get their wages in full.

In some other schools across the province, teachers reported to classes as the school year is approaching its end with the second semester coming to a close in a few months, the report said.

Teachers of students in ninth and twelfth grades, who have national exams ahead, were provided with instruction, despite the tensions.

A committee from the Iraqi government arrived in Erbil, on January 22, to audit the payroll lists of the Ministry of Education to arrange payment of the salaries.

Salaries for KRG employees continue to be delayed, as they have been for months, as the government struggles to pay the close to 1.2 million people on its monthly payroll.

In February 2016, senior KRG officials cut government employee salaries by 15 to 75 percent, depending on position and salary bracket, as part of austerity measures to deal with the ongoing economic crisis.

Reporter’s code: 50101