In the last two months, primary school teachers in the FCT have declared strike action twice. In December 2021, they embarked on a one-week strike and again in January 2022. Their demands however, have remained the same, to wit: implementation of teachers’ arrears from 2014-2018, implementation of 2020 and 2021 annual salary increments, implementation of 24-month Federal Government approved minimum wage arrears and the upgrade of qualified teachers.
Reports say that the relevant government authorities are working towards meeting the striking teachers’ demands, However, since January no headway has been reached and the children who attend government primary schools are still at home, while their counterparts in private schools are learning and getting ahead.
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This could not have come at a worse time as schools are still yet to fully bounce back from the disruption of the academic calendar caused by the COVID19 lockdown. With the common entrance examination scheduled for April fast approaching, if something is not done swiftly, children in government schools may not be able to sit for the exams. If this happens, the effects would be heartrending, to say the least. Not only would it affect children and parents personally, but it may also create a backlog in government primary schools and make for a very awkward atmosphere in these schools.
This situation is especially saddening as one would expect that with the place of education as a forerunner to societal development and primary education which especially is a major component of the sustainable development goals, the FCT administration would be more proactive in resolving issues affecting the educational sector.
At least, if not for the sake of these teachers the government should resolve the issue as quickly as possible for the sake of these future leaders.
Recently, there have been reports of children roaming the streets since this strike. Not only is this counterproductive for them, it also poses danger to their wellbeing. Also, with all these free time, which will most likely be devoid of adequate adult supervision, as many parents and guardians would be going about their jobs, the children may engage in untoward activities.
Another category of persons who are a cause for some special concern in this unpalatable state of affairs is the girl child in rural communities of the FCT. In some rural communities, it is not uncommon to see girls being passed over as educating females is still not considered a necessity by some families in these communities. Thus, when strikes become incessant and prolonged, these girls can become easily discouraged and abandon schooling altogether.
And then, there is the issue of girls reaching puberty while in primary school which can make them become targets for molesters. If these girls are not constructively engaged, protected and enlightened, they may fall prey to sexual predators.
Although, one may empathise with the government considering the state of the country’s economy, resolving this pressing challenge is of utmost importance and should be given priority. It is my hope and prayer that the demands of the teachers will be met or some viable agreement reached speedily, in order to ensure that our children are back in school.
It is worthy to say that the original inhabitants of Abuja, whose children constitutes the majority of primary school population in the FCT, are the most victims and the incessant strikes, which further sets the people back and puts them at risk of remaining educationally disadvantaged and backward for longer and this shouldn’t be.
Dorcas Jude resides in Abuja
