Clashes erupted on Sunday between security forces and teachers during a sit-in in Upper Egypt's Minya leading to the arrest of five educators.

Around 500  teachers have gathered on Sunday by the governorate's building headquarters to demand permanent contracts.

The police accused the protesters of blocking the road. 

Ragab Ahmed told Ahram Online that while the director of financial affairs at the ministry of education informed the teachers that the budget for permanently hiring contracted educators is available, no steps were taken in Minya, unlike other governorates, to solve the dispute.

"In 2011 a decree was issued to permanently hire people who have been working for three years; I have fulfilled my requirements yet officials ignored the decision," added Ahmed Abdel-Latif, one of the contracted teachers.

Egypt's teachers went on strike last September to demand higher wages and permanent contracts.