Teachers Protest And Go On Strike Because Of Unpaid Salaries

Government schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were closed on Monday as teachers protested government's failure to pay some stipulated allowances.

Sources say the teachers' grudges include delayed staff promotion, failure to meet up with teacher’s salary scheme, unpaid rent allowance and other benefits.

A teacher who pleaded anonymity said the strike was announced by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) which issued a circular to all schools to commence the strike.

He told Daily Trust that only 50 per cent of the allowances have been paid to junior staff and 60 per cent to senior staff under the present administration of the FCT, headed by Sen. Bala Mohammed.

NUT President, Michael Olukoya Ologba said the strike was due to non-payment of salaries among others.

He urged teachers in all states to make their demands now so that they would not be a burden to incoming governments.

However, the Head of the Public Relations Unit, Secretary for Education, FCTA, Anthony Ogunleye, has said the strike was uncalled for.

He said all the issues “have been adequately addressed" or "receiving urgent attention.”