Delta NUT defies Okowa, urge teachers to disregard intimidation, stay away from classrooms

There appear to be no solution in sight over the lingering teachers’ strike in Delta Sate as the State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has defied the directive by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa ordering teachers and principals of public secondary schools to resume normal classes today, Monday, March 20^th, 2017 without fail.

Governor Okowa 

Rather, the NUT urged the Governor to take proper action toward amicable resolution of the impasse.

The Governor in an announcement signed by the Director of Information, Paul Osahor said the state Government had met all its salary obligations to public servants, inclusive of teachers in secondary schools and technical colleges employed under the Post Primary Education Board (PPEB).

“The continued ‘sympathy’ strike by secondary school teachers in the state in solidarity with their primary school counterparts is quite unreasonable and uncalled for as matters concerning promotions and inter cadre transfers have been approved and implemented by the state government through the PPEB. This is in line with Government’s avowed commitment to the welfare of teachers in the state,” the government said.

Describing the NUT as ill-timed and Ill-conceived, and particularly worrisome at a time when the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is commencing on March 20^th, 2017, the government said it will not tolerate strike actions that would jeopardize the smooth conduct of teaching and learning in public schools in the state. “For the avoidance of doubt, the State Government will henceforth apply the policy of ‘No work, No pay’ on any school principal or teacher who fails to resume work on Monday, March 20^th, 2017,” the government announcement declared.

It then directs all secondary school students to resume normal school activities today, directing its officials to ensure strict compliance with the governor’s directive.

Meanwhile, the NUT has decried the attitude of the Governor Okowa to the issues raised by it that led to the call out of teachers and principals to go on strike.

A statement signed for the State Secretary, Comrade Joe Iyalekhue called attention to the Government announcement, describing as worrisome the threat that the state Government came up with the policy of ‘No work, No pay.’

The NUT declared: “The Union views this trend as most unfortunate, intimidating and undemocratic, which remains unhealthy in the settlement of industrial dispute of this magnitude/nature.

“To put the record straight, secondary school teachers in the state are not on sympathy strike with their primary school counterparts as being misconstrued by the state government.

“It should also be stated at this point that:
*  The continued refusal to implement inter-cadre Transfers (a policy duly approved by the State Government).

·         Non implementation of approved and released promotions.

·         Non-payment of promotion arrears of secondary school teachers, and

·         Non-payment of retired teachers’ benefits among others, affect secondary school teachers as stated in our communique of 2^nd March, 2017.”

The NUT further declared: “It is rather unfortunate that instead of proffering a holistic solution to the issues at stake, the State Government has decided to apply ‘Divide and rule’ method which no doubt is inimical to the educational development of the state.”

While it called on the State Government to take another look at the issues with a view to resolving them in the overall interest of peace and harmony, and even as it restated its respect for dialogue and collective bargaining, the NUT stated: “Teachers in the State are therefore urged to disregard any form of intimidation and remain resolute until our legitimate demands are met.”

The Union said it had shown adequate understanding in the present situation when it on March 16^th, 2017 directed secondary school principals and teachers involved as invigilators/supervisors in the 2017 WAEC examination to participate fully in spite of the on-going strike action by the Union.

“The Government of Delta State under Senator Ifeanyi Okowa should reciprocate this by genuinely setting machineries in motion for the amicable resolution of this impasse,” the NUT declared.