NUT strike cripples academic activities in Akwa Ibom schools

The strike action declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom has crippled academic activities across public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Findings reveal that primary and secondary school students who were not aware of the indefinite strike embarked upon by NUT went to school on Wednesday only to be sent back home.

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Our correspondent, who visited some schools along Abak road and Wellington Bassey Way, noticed pupils in primary schools playing on the school fields with their uniforms as at 8am, while those in secondary schools were trooping out of the school gate.

Some of the students obviously had no clue why they were asked to return home, they gave different reasons.

Some informed Daily Trust that the principal told them to go back home, others said it was as a result of the death of a student killed last week by an alleged cultist, while a few said it was a holiday.

Speaking on the strike, immediate past NUT Chairman, Mr Etim Ukpong, said the demands of the union were long-standing ones that the government has severally swept under the carpet.

Ukpong noted that unfortunately, the government has given a political colouration to the strike and robed him into it.

“I have been accused of instigating the strike, saying it is because one of the governorship political aspirants is my brother. Whereas, the demands of NUT is a long-standing one,” he said.

Meanwhile, the leadership of NUT has said the union was forced to embark on the strike after all negotiations with the State government failed, adding that the government could not fulfil their demands after 21 working days and subsequent 7 days ultimatum given it.

In a press release signed by Comrade Victor Amirize, Senior State Secretary of NUT, the union said the indefinite strike which commenced at midnight of Tuesday 15, 2022 follows the failed promise of the government to pay one year leave grant on compassionate grounds and completion of one-month payment of minimum wage arrears to primary school teachers.

Other demands of the NUT include, “Refund of 75% contributory pension to primary school teachers.

“Payment of promotion areas for six (6) years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 to primary schools teachers.

“Release of 2017, 2018 promotion course conducted by SUBEB.

“Immediate commencement of 2019, 2020 2021 exercise, and appointment of teachers as Permanent secretaries among others,” the release stated.

The NUT appealed to parents, pupils/students and the general public for understanding, saying the government’s insensitivity to the plight of teachers pushed them to the strike and cautioned teachers against their involvement in school activities until further notice.