Bayelsa public schools to resume2016/2017 session on Monday as NUT suspends strike

Bayelsa public schools to resume2016/2017 session on Monday as NUT suspends strike

Government owned primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa will resume the 2016/2017 academic session on Monday following a directive from Nigerian Union of Teachers to striking teachers.

Public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa have yet to resume for the new session four weeks behind schedule following the failure of the state government to settle eight months salary backlog owed teachers.

The union resorted to strike as the dtate government had reneged on an earlier agreement reached in May to pay half salaries to its workers pending improvements in the finances of the state.

Mr Kalaama Toinpre, Chairman of Bayelsa chapter of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) said on Sunday that the teachers resolved to suspend the strike at the weekend.

The union leader said that the decision has been communicated to members who were directed to resume work immediately.

“The state working committee of the NUT at the weekend resolved that we should suspend the ongoing strike and return to the classroom following series of negotiations with the state government.

“We have secured some agreements from the state government in writing that a the end of this month October, two months half salary of the outstanding be  cleared in addition to the two months half salary already paid.

“Haven secured the commitment of the state government to commence clearing the backlog, we shifted grounds and decided to suspend the strike and return to work.

“We at the state executive of the union are grateful for the solidarity of teachers who resisted ploys to sabotage the struggle for the welfare of teachers and  to factionalize teachers in Bayelsa, we shall remain united,” . Toinpre

Mr Markson Fefegha, the State Commissioner of Education,had in a statement said that the government would from Tuesday Oct 18 commence monitoring of the compliance by teaching and non-teaching staff at public schools.

According to Fefegha, a team of inspectors from the Ministry of Education would be sent to monitor the resumption of schools across the states.

He reiterated that the NUT directive makes it mandatory for all teaching and non teaching staff to resume work from Monday, October, 17 2016.

He warned that, all staff who willfully absent themselves from duty would be declared ‘ghost workers’ and replaced immediately.

The Commissioner advised all Headmasters and Principals to ensure strict compliance and cooperate with the team of inspectors.