Strike grounds FCT primary schools

Following a strike action embarked by primary school teachers in the FCT on Monday, the teach-ers sent back pupils home across the six area councils.

Our reporter who went round some primary schools across the FCT to monitor the level of com-pliance, observed that pupils were asked to go back home.

At the Naharati LEA Primary School in Abaji Area Council, the premises were deserted while classrooms were under lock and key with only the presence of the security guard.

A teacher, Daniel Yakubu, said they decided to abide by the directive of the FCT Chapter of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) to resume an earlier strike over non-payment of their promo-tion arrears and other entitlements by the area councils.

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He said since a grace of six weeks was given to the council chairmen and they failed to pay, the teachers would not return to the class until their promotion arrears and other entitlements were paid.

He further said, “That is why I and my colleagues decided to come out early to stand at the gate to stop pupils from coming to school because we know some parents may not be aware that a strike will hold.”

A parent, Mrs Monica Adejobi, described the resumption of the strike as unfortunate, saying it was worrisome that despite that the union decided to suspend the strike last year authorities of the area councils had failed to pay teachers their allowances.

She said, “I can’t imagine hearing this morning while I am preparing my child to go to school, that primary school teachers are on strike again. This is bad, the government needs to address the issue of teachers.”

At the LEA Primary School, Bonugo, Kwali Area Council, our reporter also observed that the classrooms were under lock and key, while the compound was deserted.

A teacher, who simply identified himself as Emma, said the teachers decided to shut down the school in compliance with the directive of their union over non-payment of their promotion ar-rears and other entitlements.

The situation was the same when our reporter visited Demonstration LEA Primary School, Gwagwalada, and LEA Primary School in Godozhi in Kuje Area Council.

Reacting, the General Secretary of the FCT NUT, Comrade Margaret I. Jethro, said the teachers would not return to class until their promotion arrears, 25 months minimum wage arrears and oth-er benefits were paid by the council chairmen.