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Teachers in Abia State have embarked on an indefinite strike action over the non payment of arrears of 14 months salaries and poor conditions of service.
The teachers operating under the umbrella of Nigeria Union of Teachers( NUT), Abia State Wing, made the decision at their various branch meetings. The teachers’ union disclosed that the resolution was reached as all negotiations and efforts made to get Governor Okezie Ikpeazu settle the arrears of salaries failed.
In a statement signed by the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Kizito Kalu and the State Secretary, Comrade Mrs Nnenna Okonkwo, the NUT stated that the strike will take effect from Monday, 30th May 2022.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that the NUT national leadership waged into the issue of arrears of salaries and poor conditions of service on the invitation of the state government, but Ikpeazu failed to honour the agreements he made to pay the salaries and improve their condition of service.
The union further disclosed that the state government could not meet the demands of the teachers after 14-days ultimatum and subsequent 7-days ultimatum to clear the arrears or risk indefinite strike action.
The demand of the teachers include; “Payment of 14 months arrears of salaries to Senior Secondary School Teachers. 11 months arrears of salaries of Basic Junior secondary school teachers. Stoppage percentage payment of salaries to Basic School Teachers including the skipped months. Stoppage of partial payment of their salaries. The payment of salaries on percentage (that is part payment) has affected the teachers negatively especially with the high cost of living in the country. Irregular payment of salaries to Senior Secondary School Teachers and non-implementation of Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS) over the years and to look into non-implementation of promotions, and leave allowances over the years, among others.
“As difficult as a strike is on everyone, it is far more difficult for a family that is relying on a bread winner’s salary to have it taken. We strongly believe that our demands are truly justified and important and we hope to return to work soon. The working condition of the teacher is the learning condition of the child. We therefore appeal to parents, pupils, students and the general public for understanding. The state government’s insensitivity to our flight has pushed us to this point.
While noting a task force made up of NUT, ANCOPSS, AOPSHON and Teacher Volunteers at the branch levels would monitor compliance, the NUT , however disclosed that teachers who are involved in the on-going West African Examinations Council (WAEC) are exempted from the strike.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Eze Chikamnayo, to ascertain why the state government was yet to pay the teachers, was unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls placed on his mobile number.