by The Chairman of State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Oviawe disagrees with the Nigeria Union of Teacher over planned Edo primary school’s industrial strike slated for next Monday.
The SUBEB boss during a chat with journalists in Benin last Thursday said the Edo Government has no issues with all primary school teachers in the state disclosing that only three local councils in the state owe salary.
On January 12, 2021 in Benin, to press home their demands from the Edo government a communique issued by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) enlarged State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) directing all primary schools in the state to embark on indefinite strike.
The union had on December 8 and December 29, 2020, issued 21-day and 14-day ultimatum respectively to the state government to meet and fulfill all its financial and other entitlements.
Some of the demands of the union include the payment of the 2013 to 2015 promotion arrears of teachers in Oredo, Orhionmwon, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas.
Others are reinforcement and guarantee on the payment of primary school teachers monthly salaries on or before the 27th of every month as already directed by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki; correct the implementation of the 30 percent Special Allowance for Teachers in schools for challenged children and all arrears paid among others.
The communique signed by the state Chairman, Pius Okhueleigbe; the Assistant Secretary-General, Moni Mike Modesty-Itua, and three others, said the ordered to embark on an indefinite strike was as a result of the failure of the state government to meet its 10-points long-age demands.
It noted that the indefinite strike order was a sequel to the expiration of the 21-day and 14-day ultimatum respectively, earlier issued to the state government.
SWEC stated in the communiqué that, “All public primary school heads and teachers in the 18 local government areas of Edo State should unfailingly embark on an indefinite strike from 12:00 noon of January 18, 2012, and ensure that all teaching and learning tools in their possessions are completely put in ‘off-mode’.”
The NUT Edo chapter expressed dismay over the non-challant attitude of the government towards their demands.
