Hundreds of teachers in Mauritania demanded the removal of the education minister Wednesday for remarks they said were "insulting."

The teachers rallied in front of the presidential palace in the capital, Nouakchott, during a cabinet meeting and raised banners that demanded the dismissal of Mohamed Melainine Ould Eyih.

The government has not yet commented about either the rally or the demand of the teachers.

Local media reported that Ould Eyih said last Saturday that an international group evaluated the education process in Mauritania and found only 4% of teachers had expertise.

Ould Eyih did not deny or confirm that he made the comments.

There are 11,449 teachers in Mauritania. The Education Ministry recently began a program to upgrade teachers' efficiency and capacity./aa