Niger teachers go spiritual over non-payment of salaries

By ABUBAKAR AKOTE, Minna

Primary School Teachers in Niger State held a special prayer session to invoke God’s intervention to get their salaries paid.

The teachers have been on strike since January 10 when schools resumed for the second term as they alleged that the government refused to address their plight.

Seven weeks after the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed primary school teachers to sit at home until when government resolved their problems, neither the State Ministry of Education nor the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board had responded to the plight of the poor teachers.

Pupils have already spent two months out of the three-month term at home.

In a communique issued at the end of the State-Wide Executive Council Meeting, jointly signed by the State NUT Chairman, Akayago Adamu Mohammed; and his Principal Assistant, Secretary-General, Labaran Garba, the union expressed worries over the negative impact of poor treatment of primary school teachers on the future of children of the poor who have no choice than to attend the dilapidated public schools.

“The situation is unhealthy to the development and growth of our educational system,” the communique read in part.

The prayer session, which was held at the State Headquarters of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Minna, featured recitation from the Holy Quran and readings from the Holy Bible while special prayers were offered by pastors and Imams. (Daily Trust)