Teachers in government-owned primary schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commenced an indefinite strike, following a 14-day ultimatum given by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, to the six area councils.
On Wednesday, pupils were sent home after arriving at school, disappointed by the ongoing strike. The NUT Chairman in Kubwa, Comrade Ameh Baba, confirmed the action, stating that the strike aims to pressure the councils to fulfill their promise to pay 60% of outstanding minimum wage arrears.
The union is also protesting the failure to implement a 40% peculiar allowance for teachers, along with the non-implementation of promised salary increments of 25% and 35%. Comrade Ameh emphasized that primary education, being the foundation of learning, should be treated with the highest priority.
The union has warned that if there is no response from the government within a week, they plan to escalate their actions by picketing council secretariats and organizing protests, with secondary school teachers potentially joining in solidarity. The strike is expected to affect the release of results for incoming JSS 1 students.
News Editor