Ini Billie, Uyo
Hundreds of students who were unaware of the indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akwa Ibom State chapter, were seen returning homes after spending some hours around school premises.
Our correspondent who visited some schools along Abak Road and Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo, observed pupils in primary schools playing on the school fields in their uniforms as at 8 am, while those in secondary schools were trooping out of the school gate.
Some of the students obviously had no clue why they were asked to return home, they gave different reasons.
Many of the informed DT that the principal told them to go back home, others said it was as a result of the death of a student killed last week by an alleged cultist, while a few said it was a holiday.
Speaking on the strike, immediate past NUT Chairman, Mr Etim Ukpong said on Wednesday in Uyo that the demands of the union were long standing ones that the government has severally swept under the carpet.
Ukpong noted that unfortunately, the government has given a political colouration to the strike and robed him into it.
“I have been accused of instigating the strike, saying it is because one of the governorship political aspirants is my brother. Whereas, the demands of NUT is a long standing one,” he said.
Meanwhile, the leadership of NUT has said the union was forced to embark on the strike after all negotiations with the State Government failed, adding that government could not fulfill their demands after 21 working days and subsequent 7 days ultimatum given it.
A press release signed by Comrade Victor Amirize, Senior State Secretary of NUT, noted that the union’s indefinite strike which started on midnight of Tuesday 15, 2022 followed the failed promise of government to pay one year leave grant on compassionate grounds and completion of one-month payment of minimum wage arrears to primary school teachers.
Other demands of the NUT include, “Refund of 75% contributory pension to primary school teachers.
“Payment of gratuity/harmonisaation of pension to retired teachers (c) Payment of 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 leave grant to primary schools’ teachers.
“Payment of promotion areas for six (6) years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 to primary schools’ teachers.
“Release of 2017, 2018 promotion exams conducted by SUBEB. Immediate commencement of 2019, 2020 2021 exercise, and appointment of teachers as Permanent secretaries among others,” the release stated.
The NUT appealed to parents, pupils, and the general public for understanding, saying the government’s insensitivity to the plight of teachers pushed them to the strike and cautioned teachers against their involvement in school activities until further notice.