Teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Abia have embarked on strike to protest alleged government’s failure to pay their salaries.

Schools in the state were supposed to reopen on Monday, Jan. 9 after the Christmas and New Year holidays but resumption was postponed to Monday, Jan. 16.

The teachers refused to resume, insisting on the payment of their outstanding five months salary arrears.

At Ibeku High School, Umuahia and School Road Primary School, Umuahia, students and pupils, who turned up for school, were seen leaving the premises in droves.

The Principal of Ibeku High School, Mr Ojike Kalu-Ojike, told newsmen in his office that the teachers were attending a meeting over the situation.

An executive member of the state branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), however, told pressmen on condition of anonymity that the teachers had proceeded on strike.

“The teachers have gone on strike to demand the payment of their salaries,” he said.

The source said that secondary school teachers were issued their salary cheques for July 2016 in December, while their primary school counterparts were just receiving theirs.

He regretted that “this is the first time teachers in Abia were paid with crossed cheques,’’ adding that “while some cheques cleared, many are yet to clear as I am talking with you’’.

He said that the initial resumption date was shifted to Jan. 16 by the government with a promise that the August and September salaries would be paid simultaneously before the new resumption date.

“Today, the new date has come and we did not hear anything from the government, not even for August,’’ he said.

He said that teachers in Abia “are going through hell,’’ saying, “It has never been so bad.

“It has become increasingly difficult for Abia teachers to feed and fend for their families.

“We have cases where some of us have to withdraw our children from the university because of lack of money to pay their fees.

“One pathetic case was that of a teacher in one of the secondary schools who could not raise N60,000 acceptance fee for his son’s admission to read Medicine at the state University, Uturu,’’ he said.

Some of the teachers, who also spoke, wondered why the state government could not deploy the N10.6 billion Abia share from the Paris Club’s refund to clear the backlog of workers’ salaries and pensions.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji, told newsmen in a telephone interview, that he had scheduled a meeting with NUT executives on the development.

Meanwhile, private schools in the state have reopened fully for the second term.

The turnout of students and teachers was impressive in the schools visited in Umuahia North and South Local Government Areas of the state.

At Gradiel International School, Ohokobe-Afara, Umuahia, and Intellectual Giants Christian School, Government Station Layout, Umuahia, teachers were seen conducting classes.

“This is second term and fresh registrations are not usually much so we do not waste time to commence teaching and learning, ‘’ a teacher with Gradiel International said.

Abia received N10.6 billion from Paris Club refund but the government said it would set aside N5.3 billion to offset part of the arrears of workers’ salaries and pensions.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/abia-public-school-teachers-strike-unpaid-salaries/

Ipob cave dwelling, flat headed, bald headed, hairy chested zombies with big abdomen would avoid this thread since it is not about Okoroawusa. But in case they show up, we would be ready for them like..

sarrki:
Feeeglobe and others come and see ooo

Abi nah osun state them Wan talk ?

Chai Chai

Recession is really biting hard here ooo

Igbos come and see ooo

This man called Okezie Ikpeazu is very heartless. Civil servants in the state were last paid in July using the bailout money from FG. What he does with his monthly allocation only God knows? See more comments by Vanguard

This isn't right! How do they expect the teachers to survive? Even the future leaders are being put at risk here

Corrinthians:
Ipob cave dwelling, flat headed, bald headed, hairy chested zombies with big abdomen would avoid this thread since it is not about Okoroawusa. But in case they show up, we would be ready for them like..

Don't mind those hypocrites. This Governor is very wicked and doesn't care about the plight and sufferings of various workers both civil servants and teachers in his state.

This is just so pathetic

Meanwhile

How Obama Speaks Of His Wife Vs How Buhari Does, Watch Video

sarrki:
Feeeglobe and others come and see ooo

Abi nah osun state them Wan talk ?

Chai Chai

Recession is really biting hard here ooo

Igbos come and see ooo

igbo leaders are the problem with the igbo nation..

just imagine this..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeI5qLr9Ru0

We need to strip naked and beat to a pulp, all these silly onigbese governors.
Except that we are too foolish to do that.
We will rather stupidly praise them while beating and burning phone thieves who are fellow victims like us of the looters we call leaders.

K

So they are tired of doing coverup for this man?

PDJT:
I sincerely believe Ikpeazu will be the worst Abia State governor, in modern history, and that's saying something considering the state had been bedeviled by Orji Kalu and T.A Orji with the help of Nigerian electoral system.

There is no explanation why Africa is behind the rest of civilization, this is it: Lack of regard for Education & Knowledge!

That idiot quickly made someone from his clan, The chairman of NUT - Abia State chapter, since then they have lost their voice.

That Ponponkon will soon come here posting pictures of substandard road "construction" and begging MODs to post it on FP, just to ridicule Abia State.

Please Pray for Abia.

I WON'T PRAY.

Were they blind when they voted for Ikpeazu and his ridiculous PDP in last elections after knowing the devils of TA Orji and kalu Orji in the same PdP?

I have no sympathy for retards. Abia can go to hell. Ebonyi has already surpassed them in good governance.

sarrki:
Feeeglobe and others come and see ooo

Abi nah osun state them Wan talk ?

Chai Chai

Recession is really biting hard here ooo

Igbos come and see ooo

no mind dem

What a country!We wopnt pay salaries but will be paying N5,000 stipend in the Social Investment Programmes (SIP).

They should stone him period. Any gov that owes more that a month should be stonned. APC or PDP. They are heartless

na wa o naija don even tire me

What can we do? Nothing

sarrki:
Feeeglobe and others come and see ooo

Abi nah osun state them Wan talk ?

Chai Chai

Recession is really biting hard here ooo

Igbos come and see ooo

u dey mind those osus flat-head people....nah mouth dem go use kill themself...brainless people

anytexy:
They should stone him period. Any gov that owes more that a month should be stonned. APC or PDP. They are heartless

True talk. Thoo politicians are heartless but they can see money to campaign.

Dangote should please purchase Abia and Anambra state.

It will be better managed under the Dangote Group of Companies

Rich oppressing the poor like no 2mrw

voicelez:
These set of politicians we elected last are just something else. smh

U re on point

StoneLucifer:




Another cone head Afonja with dirty black facial tribal marks,and ewedu-licker spotted....Nama!

pained osus from baby factory with akpu brain is here to defend his Igbos people o

asuustrike2009:

True talk. Thoo politicians are heartless but they can see money to campaign.

They are terribly wicked and self centered. can you imagine owing people for months? How do they expect them to survive in this recession. And they are living extremely big... We citizens should rise up and challenge...very sad