Heading: Wike Slams FCT Council Chiefs Over Ongoing Teachers' Strike
Wick Requests Immediate Gathering with FCT Area Council Chairpersons and NUT Leaders Regarding Teachers' Walkout
Hey there! Let's dive into a juicy bit of news from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Minister, Nyesom Wike, has drawn a line in the sand, calling out the FCT Area Council chairmen for their distressing negligence towards the primary school teachers.
Wike recently announced a meeting with the council leaders and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing to tackle the ongoing teachers' strike rooted in unaddressed welfare issues. This announcement came after a thorough inspection of ongoing projects in preparation for President *Bola Tinubu's Administration's second anniversary.**
According to our sources, this move by Wike comes in response to a teacher's protest that took place early Wednesday morning. He described the situation as "very unfortunate," and in a fiery tone, questioned the council chairmen's conscience for failing to pay the teachers their entitlements despite receiving funds specifically designated for them.
"They were unable to pay them. In fact, I got the report yesterday and have summoned all of them for a meeting," he stated, expressing his disbelief and frustration.
Wike further criticized the callousness shown by the council chairmen for not empathizing with the teachers who take care of our children. He fueled the fire by stating, "I don't know why people don't have conscience that these are teachers who take care of our children, and you are happy that you are not paying them their salaries."
While primary schools fall under the jurisdiction of the area councils, not the FCT Administration, Wike urged the NUT to grant him some time to address the matter. He emphasized the responsibility that the local councils hold for these schools.
Chairman of the NUT, Abdullahi Shafa, who led the protest, acknowledges Wike's efforts to resolve the dispute, which include the release of ₦4.1 billion to the area councils for teacher payments. However, he pointed the finger at the council chairmen, accusing them of diverting the funds and urged the National Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene.
The teachers' strike stems from unpaid wages, the non-implementation of salary increases, and the non-payment of other benefits. The proposed N70,000 minimum wage and the 40 percent Peculiar Allowance have yet to be implemented, leaving the teachers in a lurch. The teachers' demands also include the immediate reopening of all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
Did You Know?
- The ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the FCT is primarily due to the failure of the FCT Area Council Chairmen to pay teachers their salaries and allowances and their failure to meet other welfare demands such as the implementation of the minimum wage increase to N70,000 and the payment of the 40 percent Peculiar Allowance.
- The minister, Nyesom Wike, has emphasized that primary schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Area Councils, making them directly responsible for managing and paying primary school teachers.
- The unresolved issues fueling the strike center around the failure of the Area Council Chairmen to disburse approved funds earmarked for teachers' salaries and benefits.
So, stay tuned for more updates on this heated situation unfolding in the FCT!
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- The ongoing teachers' strike in the FCT is primarily due to the breach of entitlements, including unpaid wages, non-implementation of salary increases, and non-payment of other benefits.
- Nyesom Wike, the Minister, has criticized the FCT Area Council chairmen for failing to pay teachers their entitlements, despite receiving funds specifically designated for them.
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to intervene, as funds earmarked for teachers' salaries and benefits remain unpaid.
- Wike has emphasized the importance of the education-and-self-development sector, stating that local councils hold responsibility for primary schools.
- The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing is set to meet with Wike to tackle the ongoing strike rooted in unaddressed welfare issues.
- The teachers' demands also include the immediate reopening of all Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
- President Bola Tinubu's Administration's second anniversary is approaching, with a thorough inspection of ongoing projects recently undertaken.
- The ongoing teachers' strike has been highlighted as a significant news topic, not only in the general news but also in politics and the education-and-self-development sectors.
