The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a 14-day strike notice over the non-implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers.
The teachers have threatened to embark on a strike and shut down schools across the eight local government councils in the state.
The ultimatum was issued due to lingering issues of non-payment and implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, promotions and salary arrears owed primary school teachers, and other critical issues bordering on the welfare of teachers and public education in the state.
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Primary school teachers in the state have been suffering from a lot of challenges and difficulties due to the unfair trend of not receiving the N30,000 minimum wage that other workers have been enjoying for three years.
The union stated that teachers deserve better treatment and respect for their vital role in society, as they are the ones who shape the future of development.
The union urged the state government to act swiftly and seriously to end the injustice done to teachers and restore their rightful salaries to avoid further problems in the system.
They appealed to the state government to implement the harmonized upward review of the retirement age of primary and secondary school teachers from 60 to 65 years and service from 35 to 40 years, as already implemented by the federal government and some states in the federation.
The union equally appealed to the state government for an upward review of headmasters’ imprest, pointing out the enormous responsibilities in the schools, especially as the Bayelsa PRIME has taken over the school system.
They also solicited the employment of more teachers in both primary and secondary schools in the state to address the issue of inadequate classroom teachers for effective teaching and learning in the schools. The union warned that failure to meet these demands within the stipulated period would lead to an indefinite strike action, which would disrupt the academic calendar in the state.
The NUT has called on all stakeholders in the education sector, including parents and guardians, to prevail on the state government to meet their demands in order to avert the impending strike. The union remains hopeful that the state government will respond positively to their demands, thereby averting a potential disruption of academic activities in primary schools across the state.