Primary School Teachers in Abuja Refuse to Return to Classrooms Until Salary Payment is Made

The ongoing industrial action by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, took a new turn after a meeting between the union leaders and the FCT minister and area council chairmen. Despite reaching an agreement on a bailout plan to address key grievances, including unpaid entitlements and improved working conditions, the teachers have resolved to continue their strike until the promised salary payment hits their accounts. The teachers are willing to return to class once the payment is made, but the absence of concrete action has left the students and parents in limbo. The strike has disrupted academic activities for almost a full academic session, with most primary schools in Abuja being turned into grazing fields for cattle herdsmen.

Key Takeaways:

• The primary school teachers in Abuja have refused to return to classrooms until the promised salary payment is made.
• The teachers have been on strike for over three months due to unpaid entitlements and salary arrears, which has disrupted academic activities for almost a full academic session.
• The FCT minister and area council chairmen have agreed to a bailout plan to address the key grievances, which includes covering 60% of the outstanding salary arrears and witholding the internally generated revenue of the council chairmen to settle the remaining 40%.
• The union leaders have issued a 21-day ultimatum for all demands, including salaries, wage awards, and removal of some officials, to be met; failing which, further actions will follow.
• The teachers are demanding the payment of the N35,000 wage award and the implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of teachers as agreed in 2022.
• The strike has had a significant impact on the students and parents, with most primary schools in Abuja being turned into grazing fields for cattle herdsmen.

Statistics:

• over three months of strike duration
• 60% of outstanding salary arrears to be covered by the FCT Administration (FCTA)
• 40% of outstanding salary arrears to be covered by the six area councils
• N35,000 wage award demanded by the teachers
• 21-day ultimatum issued by the union leaders for all demands to be met
• majority of primary schools in Abuja have been turned into grazing fields for cattle herdsmen

Sources:

Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)

Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC)