NUT strike grounds resumption of academic activities in Edo primary schools

By DADA AYOKHAI 

Public Primary School Teachers, under the auspice of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Monday made good their threat by boycotting the February 1, 2021scheduled  resumption date by the state government.


The primary school teachers had on January 18, 2021 declared a state-wide indefinite strike to protest against the non-fulfilment of its 10-point demands by the state government.


In reaction, the state government in a statement signed by Osarodion Ogie, Secretary to the State Government, last Thursday  threatened forfeiture of salaries and activation of "No Work, No Pay" policy on any defaulting teachers that failed to resume.


As a followed up to the state government directive, the state leadership of NUT,  in a press statement on Sunday advised parents to keep their children and wards out of public primary school yesterday, insisting that members of the union are on strike.


A visit to some public primary schools in Benin City shown that they were devoid of the normal academic activities as teachers  conspicuously stayed away from schools.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that some staff of local government education authority and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were deployed by the government to teach in schools were few pupils were present.

At Emokpae Model Primary School, along Mission Road,only four female suspected to be teachers were present at the school while pupils were seen in only  two classrooms.

One of the teachers, who spoke on condition of anonymity said they  obey the state government ordered for the sake of the children.

According to her, education is not about NUT or state government but for the sake of the children.


At Agbado Primary School, along Akpakpava road, there were no pupils on site but only three staff who said they were not member of NUT but  from  SUBEB and local government education authority were on ground waiting for any resuming pupils.


Also at Igbesamwan Model Primary School, off Akpakpava road, four suspected staff from SUBEB and local Government education authority who were in the school said they attended to few pupils that were present in the school.

At Asoro Primary school, only one teacher was in the school attending to only few pupils who converged in a one classroom.


However, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie  was at Emokpae Model Primary School as part of monitoring the compliance of  teachers to the state government resumption directive.

Ogie, in addressing the teachers urged them to carry out their duty, adding that it was not a crime for some person to protest but it was not also right for the protesters to deprive others from carrying out their duty.

"I am here to ensure that nobody disturb you people. Anybody has a right to protest or agitate but you cannot ask others that are ready to work not to work",he said.


It was gathered that public primary schools in other part of the state such as Auchi, Owan East, Ovia South- West, Ovia North-East local government areas complied with the NUT strike directive.


Speaking with newsmen, the Assistant  Secretary General of NUT, Edo State, Moni Mike Modesty Itua described the strike as total across the 18 local government areas.

Moni Mike, who commended teachers for the total compliance, urged them to remain resolute in the fight for freedom  until otherwise directed by the union.

He however, expressed hope that with the total compliance the state government may call the leadership for a negotiation.

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