Posted by By IME OLA, Lagos, GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka, MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta and GABRIEL DIKE, Osogbo on
Public schools across the country remain under lock on Tuesday as the teachers' strike entered its third day. The teachers began an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday after failed talks with the Federal Government on the implementation of a new salary structure for teachers.
• Schools remain shut
Public schools across the country remain under lock on Tuesday as the teachers' strike entered its third day.
The teachers began an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday after failed talks with the Federal Government on the implementation of a new salary structure for teachers.
Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Onem Nelson Onem who said government's call for fresh negotiations was unacceptable to the union directed the teachers to down tools indefinitely.
In Awka, Anambra State, some private school owners and public school teachers apparently expecting a very long strike, have concluded plans to establish study centers. Already, some of them have placed notice boards around their houses and schools advertising their services to students and the need to patronize them instead of engaging in vices.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka, one of the teachers, Mrs Eucharia Nwokolo said the centers would help keep the children out of danger.
Daily Sun investigation revealed that primary school pupils are expected to pay about N1,300 monthly while those in secondary school would pay between N2,000 and N3,000 at the study centres. This, however, does not impress some parents who see the move as a rip-off.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state has threatened to join the strike if the teachers' demands were not met by next week. Member, South East Central Working Committee of Radio, Television, Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), Comrade Michael Anene said: 'For now, we are keeping our fingers crossed but the solution is only one week of grace and if within that time they fail to act, the entire 28 trade unions would embark on sympathy strike."
In Ogun State, the NLC Chairman, Mr Solomon Adeniyi described the teachers' action as legitimate, adding that the union was solidly behind them just as Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State commended them for their peaceful conduct in pressing for their demands.
However, in many towns and cities across the country, the strike is already taking its toll on the pupils as many of them have joined the growing army of child-hawkers.