Deadlock Persists in Meeting Between FCT NUT and Minister Over Primary School Teachers' Strike
The meeting between the standing committee of the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to address the ongoing strike by primary school teachers has ended in deadlock. The teachers initiated the strike due to the non-payment of their 25-month minimum wage arrears.
Convened at the behest of Minister Wike, the meeting took place at the conference room of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), with the attendance of six area council chairmen and mandate secretaries for area councils and education. The General Secretary of the FCT NUT, Comrade Margaret I. Jethro, confirmed that the meeting with the minister could not be concluded. An anonymous member of the union's standing committee disclosed to our reporter that discussions between the union and the FCT administration could not be concluded on Tuesday.
He stated, "Yes, the meeting between FCT NUT and the minister could not be concluded as the discussion continues because from the actions of the council chairmen at the meeting, it doesn’t show they are ready to pay teachers their arrears soon. Actually, the union met behind closed doors with the minister, but the meeting continues tomorrow (Wednesday), while the primary school teachers' strike continues."
Earlier, the FCT minister had attributed the ongoing strike by primary school teachers to the failure of the chairmen of the six area councils to fulfill their responsibilities. Minister Wike, addressing journalists before the closed-door emergency meeting, urged the area council chairmen to take more proactive measures in addressing the issues.
The FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had directed primary school teachers to embark on an indefinite strike from January 15, 2024. This strike is a continuation of a previous one suspended in 2023 over non-payment of the 40% Peculiar Allowance and 25-month minimum wage arrears, among other concerns. The NUT had initially suspended the strike for six weeks, hoping for a resolution, but as nothing transpired, the strike resumed. Minister Wike emphasized that the responsibility lies with the council chairmen to address the concerns, urging them to fulfill their obligations and resolve the issues promptly.
Deadlock Persists in Meeting Between FCT NUT and Minister Over Primary School Teachers' Strike was edited by Educator Hub News