Primary schools in Abuja shut down due to indefinite strike by teachers

Primary school teachers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, have gone on strike indefinitely over unpaid debts. 

Primary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were advised to return home in November 2021 after their teachers issued a five-day warning strike over non-payment of promotion arrears under the banner of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). 

Margareth Jethro, the NUT’s acting secretary, said the strike was called owing to the six area council chairmen’s lack of commitment and political will to pay unpaid claims of LEA primary school teachers in the FCT.  

The council chairmen, she claims, have refused to balance teachers’ advancement arrears from 2014 to 2018, and have failed to execute yearly increments for 2020 and 2021. 

In addition, the councils neglected to promote talented instructors. 

“The SWEC in the session was saddened by the area council chairmen’s and the management of the FCT administration’s non-commitment to the settlements of the FCT teachers outstanding entitlements and therefore resolved to embark on a five-day warning strike with effect from Thursday, November 18, 2021,” she had said. 

However, Ameh Baba, the Chairman of the Kubwa branch of the National Union of Teachers, acknowledged the teachers’ strike action on Wednesday.  

She mentioned that the development came after their union sent out a circular the day before. 

He added that, starting in 2011, area councils owed their members a backlog of arrears that included payment of promotion and minimum salary. 

“The involvement of FCT Senator Philip Aduda, who indicated they would start executing the demands immediately, was part of the deal to put off the last strike last November.” 

“However, they have failed to keep their pledge, and it appears that they are more preoccupied with their present campaigns,” the NUT head stated.