The Edo State Government yesterday barred it’s fangs on primary school teachers in Edo State over the planned strike action
by the teachers commencing from February 1,2021
Recall that primary school teachers in the state had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Edo State Government,stating that their entitlements should be paid before resumption of schools,but the teachers said their demands were not attended to.
This prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Edo State on Wednesday to issue directives to all primary school teachers in the state asking them to shun the February 1, 2021, resumption date proposed by the state government.
The leadership of the union gave the order in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.The statement was signed by Pius Okhueleigbe, state chairman and Moni Mike Modesty Itua, the Assistant Secretary General of the unionth
In the statement ,the union accused the state government of not “demonstrated any reasonable commitment to resolve the issues presented to it and unanimously agreed that dialogue/negotiation between Edo State Government and the union should continue while the strike persists.”
But in a twist, the state government issued a warning to the teachers, stating that the state government is invoking the no work no pay policy.
The government in press statementsigned by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie and made available to newsmen, directed all primary school teachers to resume on the February 1, 2021.
The statement reads in part,”this is
to inform all parents, teachers and the general public that all public primary schools in Edo State shall resume full activities on Monday 1st February 2021.
‘Parents are expected to make their children and wards ready for resumption on this date. The Board wishes to reemphasize that all public-school teachers and head teachers are required to be present in their various schools. Failure to resume work would be considered forfeiture of salary as the Edo State Government has activated the No Work, No Pay policy.
“Head Teachers and Teachers who are desirous of staying away from work in support of the sponsored strike action by certain elements of the Edo State Branch of the National Union of Teachers, are required to hand over all school property in their custody to their respective Education Secretaries.
“The Board is collaborating with the relevant security agencies to ensure the protection of all public schools and any willful destruction of government property will be met with criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.” The statement concluded.
