The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kogi East caucus on Tuesday called on the state government to halt the continued delay in payment of primary schools teachers’ salaries.
The caucus chairman, Mr Shaibu Okpanachi, made the call when he led the executive members on a visit to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Interim Management Committee chairman, Mr Stephen Akwu, in Anyigba.
Okpanachi said delay in the payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances and non-implementation of approved increments culminating into arrears over the years was responsible for incessant strikes in the sector.
The caucus chairman lauded the interim committee over the payment of April and May salaries before the Eid-el-Fitr celebration and urged SUBEB to follow up with the payment of June and July salaries before the end of August.
He commended the steps taken so far by the State Government and SUBEB interim committee to address the Minimum Wage impasse which commenced on May 30, 2013.
Akwu in his response expressed delight that the teachers heeded his appeal to them to resume classes in the interest of the pupils and commended the NUT for the support and understanding being accorded his committee.
He pledged to sustain the committee’s cordial relationship with the teachers adding that the efforts of the committee would have been futile without the support of the state NUT.
Akwu said that the committee was set to resolve teachers’ problems “Once and for all” adding that some impostors were arrested in the course of the on-going teachers’ verification exercise.
He congratulated the recently inaugurated Commissioner for Education, Dr Agnes Okai over her appointment and promised that SUBEB would work in consultation with the ministry to properly reposition the education sector.
