Minimum Wage: Public Schools Remain Closed In Kogi As Teachers Shun Resumption

Teachers in public primary and junior
secondary schools in Kogi in Kogi have
refused to resume for the 2014/1015
academic session on Sept. 29 as directed by
the State Government.
The teachers, under the aegis of Basic
Education Staff Association of Nigeria
(BESAN), said in a statement in Lokoja on
Sunday that they would not resume duty
until they were paid the N18,000 national
minimum wage.
The statement, signed by the state Chairman
of the association, Mr Suleiman Adomu, said
that the issue of promotions and incremental
steps without cash backing should be
addressed by the state government without
further delay.
Another demand made by the association
was a stop to irregular payment of salaries
to its members and full payment of the
arrears of leave allowance being owed
teachers from 2011 to date.
They claimed that their grievances preceded
the issue of Ebola Virus Disease.
They maintained that the devastating effects
of infrastructural decay and the unresolved
issues of welfare of teachers had rubbished
the basic education sector in the state.
According to BESAN, which has ordered its
members out of classes since April, schools
will not resume until all issues are resolved.
The group also decried what it described as
incessant inconclusive and fraudulent
screening /verification of staff exercise, which
it said had aggravated the plight of teachers
in the state.
It advised the state government to summon
the necessary political will and release the
results of the previous exercises.
BESAN then directed its over 1,500 members
to remain at home until further notice, urging
them
to remain steadfast and committed to the
uncompromising stance until all the issues
raised were addressed once and for all.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls
that the state Commissioner for Education,
Dr Magret Okhai, had on Sept. 17 directed all
schools in the state to resume normal
academic activities on Sept. 29. (NAN)