Business
Parents Call For Resumption Of Unity Schools
Following the indefi
nite strike embarked upon by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) nationwide on Monday September 22, some parents in Port Harcourt are demanding an early resolution of the issues between the striking union and the federal government.
Speaking to The Tide at the premises of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma, on Friday, a parent Mr Lasisi Oladele, said he wants the federal ministry of education to quickly look into the issues raised by the union to avoid further delay of reopening the 104 unity schools in the country.
Oladele said that the children have overstayed at home, stressing that there is urgent need for resumption of schools in the country.
He said that he was in the school for clarification on the authentic resumption date, but met nobody in the school
He urged the government to dialogue with the striking teachers in the overall interest of the education sector and stability of the nation, stressing that the strike is affecting the psyche of the children at home.
Oladele urged both parties to consider the plight of the pupils of homes and their educational advancement to resolve the issues amicably.
All efforts of The Tide to speak with the Principal or even teachers in the school proved abortive as the school’s gate was firmly locked.
It would be recalled that the 104 Federal Unity Colleges across the country were shut down following the indefinite nationwide strike embarked upon by Education Officers in the Federal Ministry of Education who are members of ASCSN.
In a statement by the ASCSN Secretary General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, said the workers were protesting the failure by the Federal Government to pay their outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements owed the workers for several years.
The Secretary-General said the issues in dispute include but no Limited to non-payment of outstanding promotion arrears for 2007-2010 and the balance of 2011 promotion arrears, promotion arrears for 2012-2013 unpaid salaries to some staff for July, August, September and October 2013; end of year incentives, non-payment of 1st 28 days in lieu of hotel accommodation; 2010 Head of service organized mandatory training allowance, repatriation allowance, duty tour allowance and non-payment of promoted officers etc.
Philip Okparaji