The Rivers State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned of an impending strike if government fails to pay the body the new Teachers Salary Scale (TSS).

Dropping the hint at the World Teachers Day Celebration on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Chairman of NUT, Chief Moses Adiela said the teachers have waited patiently for too long.

Chief Adiela wondered why government should renege after being part of the agreement with the Governor’s Forum in August 2008.

In the words of Chief Adiela, “this demand commemorates the theme of this year’s World Teachers Day which states that recovery begins with teachers”.

Besides, the NUT Chairman called on the State Post Primary Schools, Board to release the result of the promotion exercise which was long conducted by the agency.

In addition, he also demanded the approval for conduct of promotion interview for 2009 and 2010 for those who were not captured in the previous exercise.

Among other 10 points demand made by the NUT Chairman include the implementation of duty post allowance and payment of impress and overhead to head teachers and principals of Secondary Schools.

Meanwhile, the State Government has called on teachers to be more effective, research oriented, and be sensitive to the needs and wants of the 21st century child.

Commissioner for Education, Barrister Alice Nemi who gave the charge on the occasion of the World teacher’s Day stressed that teachers should strive to bring out the best in pupils and students to be functional and responsible members of the society.

She also assured the teachers that the present administration would attend to their welfare and that every measure is being taken to address their needs.