MORONI (Reuters) - Students in Comoros protested on Monday against school closures and teachers demanded their salaries, increasing pressure on the Indian Ocean archipelago's leader as he seeks to extend his mandate.

Hundreds of primary school students and university undergraduates marched with their teachers through the dusty streets of the capital, Moroni. They waved banners reading "the state is neglecting education".

Public sector teachers have been on strike for almost a month over payment arrears of up to six months, leaving classrooms empty since the New Year.

"It's now a month that we haven't been to school. The government is incapable of meeting the simple demand of paying salaries," student Halima Mohamed told Reuters.

Security forces blocked access to an avenue leading to President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi's palace.

Sambi's ruling coalition won a parliamentary election in December.

Teachers at the rally said the leader, seen by many as an Islamic reformer, is more intent on keeping his grip on power than addressing social needs.

Students said they feared the academic year would be wasted and exams cancelled if schools failed to reopen soon.