Federal teachers vow to continue strike ‘indefinitely’

Teachers in the 104 Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria 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, told PREMIUM TIMES Monday.

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, told PREMIUM TIMES 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.