Gov't Making Progress On Concerns, Call Off Strike – Education Ministry Appeals To Teacher Unions

The Ministry of Education has appealed to the three pre-tertiary teacher unions to call off their nationwide strike, saying government is making progress in addressing their concerns.

The unions - GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG - declared an indefinite strike on Friday, September 25, over unresolved issues bordering on conditions of service, delayed promotions and non-payment of deprived area allowances.

Speaking to the media, Spokesperson for the Ministry, Hashmin Mohammed, said the strike could disrupt the academic calendar which government has worked hard to restore.

"It took this government a lot of effort to be able to reverse the academic calendar. For the first time, in many years, we are having schoolchildren from KG through primary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and then university reporting to school in September," he said.

Mr Mohammed noted that Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has been engaging relevant stakeholders to resolve the grievances.

He said the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General's Department (CAGD) are expected to meet the unions to find a lasting solution.

"It is our expectation that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and then the Controller and Accountant-General's Department will be able to engage the teacher unions so that collectively we can find a solution to this issue," he added.

The Ministry therefore urged the unions to reconsider their decision and return to the classroom while negotiations continue.