Resumption is to be delayed furthermore in 104
Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria as the
teachers have vowed not to suspend their strike
until the government attends clears a backlog of
the entitlements dating back to 2007.
Federal government schools were originally
scheduled to resume September 22 following an
extended holiday over the outbreak of the Ebola
Virus Disease.
But the teachers say they have decided not to
resume until all their benefits owed by the
government are cleared.
“It’s an indefinite strike,” the chairman of the
Nigeria Union of Teachers, federal government
colleges wing, Emeka Okonta, stated.
The teachers are demanding their promotion
arrears from 2007 to 2010, the balance for 2011
promotion arreas as well as arrears of salaries to
some staff for July, August, September, and
October 2013.
They are also asking the government to pay end-
of-year incentives to teachers, provide payment in
lieu of hotel accommodation for the first 28 days.
That is in addition to 2010 mandatory training,
repatriation allowance, and duty tour allowance to
affected officers amongst others.
The now two-week-old strike has not only
affected government schools but has also crippled
activities at the Ministry of Education in Abuja.
Parents have expressed concerns over the
lingering crisis, particularly the possibility that the
strike could extend beyond the present two
weeks.
“What will happen if the strike extends than it is.
Does it mean I will have to pay for a full term?”
Adebayo Bukola, a parent asked, concerned the
strike may significantly affect the usual three-
month duration of a term.
The chief press secretary to the Minister, Timothy
Akpoili,revealed that the ministry was doing
everything possible to see that the strike was
called off soon.
“By Wednesday this week, the strike will be over.
Everything is being handled at our level and we
are doing everything possible to see that the
strike is called off immediately,” Mr Akpoili said.
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