Posted by From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
There appears not to be succour in sight for the striking teachers in the country as a consultative meeting convened in Abuja on Tuesday between the Federal Government's representatives and those of state governments on the on-going strike in the country rose without any clear-cut decision on the issues at stake.
There appears not to be succour in sight for the striking teachers in the country as a consultative meeting convened in Abuja on Tuesday between the Federal Government's representatives and those of state governments on the on-going strike in the country rose without any clear-cut decision on the issues at stake.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which was chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, members reviewed the current industrial action and expressed deep concern at its negative impact on the educational system.
The meeting equally attended by the ministers of education, labour and finance, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, representatives of 19 state governments, as well as the secretary of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission noted that it was the need for an enhanced remuneration for teachers that gave rise to the demand for a separate salary structure for teachers.
The communiqué read to the State House correspondents by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, however, said in reviewing the history of the demand, the meeting noted that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission which is the body statutorily charged with the responsibility of making recommendations on such matters had in 2003 when the issue was first raised advised against it.
According to the communiqué, the commission had instead advised that the peculiarities of the teaching profession should be identified and compensated with the payment of job related/professional allowances of varying rates.
The communiqué restated that each tier of government is responsible for setting the conditions of service and compensation of teachers in its employ since education is on the Concurrent Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution.
'Towards this end, members reaffirmed the commitment of their respective governments to commence dialogue with their states' teachers unions.
The Federal Ministry of Education will similarly engage the teachers in its schools," it pointed out.
'The meeting therefore urged the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to consider the disruptive effect of their industrial action on the education sector, the school children and their families and direct their state branches to resume work immediately", it added.