Primary School teachers in the Federal Capital Territory are to resume their suspended strike from Monday, January 15th, 2024 till further notice.
This followed a directive by the (FCT) Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) following decisions taken at an emergency meeting of the State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) which held at the Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
“The SWSC-In-Session equally resolved that if the outstanding demands of the Primary School Teachers are not paid before Friday, 19th January, 2024, all Secondary School Teachers in FCT will join in Solidarity with effect from Monday, 22nd January, 2024, as an injury to one is an injury to all.
The communique was jointly signed by Comrades Abdullahi Shafas, Margaret Jethro and Ibukun Adekeye, State Chairman, Secretary and Publicity Secretary respectively
Among the outstanding demands are: the implementation of 40% Peculiar Allowance and payment of 25 months Minimum Wage Arrears
The Primary School Teachers had embarked on an indefinite strike action on the 11th September, 2023 but it had been suspended for six weeks following a pledge by the Minister of FCT to intervene in resolving the issues.
But the six weeks given had expired on November, 7th 2023, and a Committee set up to look into the issues had also completed its work nothing positive has taken place.
The Union is not happy with what it calls, the suffering of the Teachers and the unwillingness of the Area Council Chairmen to pay the Teachers their outstanding entitlements.
It says
“We are concerned that series of meetings have taken place, but the Primary Schools Teachers remain in a pathetic situation and continue to bear the brunt of the high cost of living attributable to the removal of fuel subsidies without succour from anywhere”
Parents are advised to keep their children and wards in Primary Schools safe at home.
