FCT school teachers begins indefinite strike over unmet demands
Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory's government-owned schools have gone on an indefinite strike in protest of the Area Councils' failure to pay 60% of the outstanding debt.
This comes after the six area councils in the territory received a 14-day ultimatum from the Nigeria Union of Teachers' FCT Chapter.
The union had previously suspended another strike in November 2023 before going on an indefinite strike on January 15, 2024. Among other demands, the previous walkout called for the introduction of a 40% unique allowance and the payment of arrears for 25 months of minimum wage.
Dr. Danlami Hayyo, the Education Secretariat's mandate secretary, revealed on January 30 that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had stepped in after the last strike. It was announced that the FCT Administration would pay 40% of the total 25 months’ minimum wage arrears to primary school teachers, while the area councils would pay the remaining 60%.
With effect from September 18, 2024, all primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory are now required by the FCT-NUT Wing to restart their postponed strike action.
The teachers decided to renew their strike, according to Abdullahi Shafa, state chairman of the wing, since the council chairmen had not paid them 60% of the minimum wage arrears that they were due for the previous 25 months.
According to Shafa, the NUT is also requesting that the councils pay 40% of their outstanding unique allowances as well as a rise in salary.
"The State Wing Executive Council decided to resume the suspended strike action due to the council chairmen's lack of response to our demands after deliberating on the issues affecting teachers in the Federal Capital Territory."
"The union is requesting that elementary school teachers receive the remaining 60% of the minimum wage arrears that they are owed for the next 25 months. In addition, we want the 40% Peculiar Allowance as well as the 25% and 35% salary increases to be implemented and arrears paid.
The union therefore demands that the N35,000 Wage Award arrears be paid as well as the proper and ongoing application of the template on unpaid rights.
of educators, as decided upon in 2022," he continued.
The strike will go on until all of the union's demands are met by the council chairmen. It has been recommended that parents keep their kids at home till further notice.
"We urge all educators to maintain composure and ignore any conflicting instructions until they come from the Union,” Margaret Jethro, State Secretary of the NUT FCT Wing, declared.
Pupils who went to school on Wednesday returned home disappointed, as teachers directed them to leave upon arriving at the school gate.
At the time this report was filed, attempts were made to get in contact with Dr. Danlami Hayyo, the Education Secretariat's Mandate Secretary.
Additionally unresponsive were the area council chairs for the Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, and the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Christopher Maikalangu.
