Must Read
%20(22).jpeg)
Primary school pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) faced disruption on Monday as their teachers began a strike over the failure of area councils to pay the newly approved minimum wage of ₦70,000.
This strike comes just three days before the end of the first term examinations. Pupils arriving at school were turned back, marking another setback following a similar strike in September that kept students at home for three weeks.
Reasons for the Strike
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kubwa, Comrade Ameh Baba, explained that the strike was necessary due to arrears owed by the area councils. The teachers are demanding:
Payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage approved by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Settlement of the ₦40,000 peculiar allowance and ₦35,000 wage award, unpaid for up to a year.
Baba stated that while the November salary was expected to reflect the new minimum wage, some teachers under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) were yet to benefit.
The NUT chairman emphasized that the strike would continue until the arrears are settled and the councils fully comply with the new wage policy.
Impact on Pupils
This strike has disrupted the ongoing first-term examinations, further delaying the academic calendar for primary school pupils in the FCT. Parents and stakeholders are calling for swift resolution to avoid prolonged disruptions.
