[size=18pt]Oyo: Tension grips teachers as rumour of sack persists
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TENSION has gripped some teachers in the Oyo State public primary and secondary schools over the sack option that Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala gave them as alternative to implementation of 27.5 per cent.
Consequent upon a rumour that the state government was already compiling the list of teachers to be sent packing, some of them have begun intensive search for new jobs.

But reacting to the rumour, Governor Alao-Akala through Prince Dotun Oyelade, Special Adviser on Public Communication described it as wild rumour.
He said the state government would still stand by the options put before the leadership of the union three weeks ago.
His words: “It is a wild rumour. Government will still follow the exact options laid before the leadership of the NUT three weeks ago. We still believe wiser counsel will prevail that teachers will go back to work while we await the implementation of the Federal Government on increment in allowances, it is only then we can have holistic and meaningful action.”

The affected teachers who are mainly from the public primary schools in the state complained that their meager take-home pay could no longer face the current financial challenges and with the threat of the government to sack some of them, they said the best option was to start preparing for evil days.

According to them, if a mere 27.5 per cent increase could be dragged for so long like this, what will happen when the agitation for the increase which the Federal Government just effected began.
“Now, we are still pleading with the state government to pay this, by the time he pays and the problem of the new FG increment begins, what will happen. Even this increment can no longer meet the current economic challenges, they said.

Most of the teachers who want change of jobs are men whose wives are either teaching in the public secondary schools or private schools.
Pleading anonymity, they lamented that there were hints that the state government had started listing the names of those that would be sacked and they have to be on guard.
The indefinite strike by the teachers followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum given to the government to pay the salary increase of 27.5 per cent.

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers had met with the Governor but the meeting was deadlocked as the government insisted on sacking some teachers before it could pay the salary increase.
At the rally which was conveyed by the Secretary, NUT, Comrade Olu Abiala to intimate the teachers with the details of the meeting he had with the governor the previous day, the teachers rejected all pleas and embarked on the strike.
Besides, they warned the State Government not to venture into the idea of sacking any teachers in the state following the demand for the payment of the salary increase which other states had been paying.

They gave vivid picture why the government cannot say it cannot afford the money. According to them, Osun, Ekiti whose allocations are lower than Oyo’s are already paying their teachers.
They also canceled the proposal by the government that they should be patient till the FG announce the new minimum wage for civil servants in July.




http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/07/27/oyo-tension-grips-teachers-as-rumour-of-sack-persists/