Primary and secondary schools teachers embark on strike in Akwa Ibom

Public Primary and Secondary school teachers in Akwa Ibom State have commenced an indefinite strike over the non-payment of eight years leave grant and six years of promotion arrears. The state Nigerian Union Teachers’ Secretary, Victor Amirize, disclosed this in a statement.

According to Amirize, the union arrived at the decision after all avenues of negotiation and amicable resolutions failed on the part of the state government, and the strike takes effect from Tuesday, March 15.

He listed the demands of teachers in the state to include, the payment of 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 leave grants to primary schools teachers, and the Payment of promotion arrears for six years – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 to primary schools teachers. Also, the release of the 2017, 2018 promotion exercise conducted by State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The union said it had earlier given the government 21 working days and subsequent seven days ultimatum to resolve the issue, but failed to address their demands.

The union also demanded the refund of 7 ½ percent contributory pension to primary school teachers and the appointment of teachers as permanent secretaries among others.