New year resolution- All Schools to remain shut in Akwa Ibom from January 12

Except the government of Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of Chief Godswill Akpabio implements the agreement reached on the 30th of September, 2014 between the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akwa Ibom State wing and the state government, all schools in the state will remain closed from January 12, 2015 when it is expected to resume for the 2nd term of the 2014/2015 academic session.

In a letter addressed to the state Governor through the commissioner for education and signed by the state chairman and secretary, Comrade Etim Etim Ukpong and Comrade (Dr) Mike Ike Ene respectively and obtained by The INK Newspaper, the union frowned at the snail speed on the part of government in honouring the agreement saying, it showed that the government lacks the will and sincerity.

According to the letter, some of the issues which the State has failed to address as contained in the agreement include- Full payment of 2013 and 2014 Leave Grant; Full payment of promotion arrears of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; Full payment of Check-Off Dues of May,2014 by SUBEB; Full payment of Check-Off Dues of October, Nov., and December 2014 from Accountant General’s office; Full payment of gratuities and pensions up to 2014; settlement of all cases of Bio-Metric data capturing to the satisfaction of all parties concerned; Remittance of all deductions which included Teachers’ House Deductions and Branch Welfare schemes and Full absorption of the retrenched primary School Teachers from our sister State, Cross River.

Other issues also raised by the union include Subvention to School heads from 3rd Term of 2013/2014 school year to 1st Term of 2014/2015 school year; Teachers recruited, given letters of appointment and posted to schools since January 2013 and not paid to date and finally non release of WASSCE result 2013/2014 to public secondary schools- non start of registration of new candidates.

In view of the above issues, the union says failure to address all the issues already negotiated and agreement reached in concrete terms will make teachers in the state not to report for work when school is expected to resume on the 12th of January 2015.

The union said though the state wing of NUT remains one that has demonstrated total commitment, friendship and loyalty to and cooperation with the present administration pointing out that, our maturity, patience, understanding of the dynamics of governance, loyalty, patriotism and comradeship have never been in doubt, it however warned that the teachers of Akwa Ibom State will not settle for any piece-meal settlement of the above listed grievances.

“To this end the Union wishes to make it clear that all schools in the state will remain close as injury to one is injury to all”

Investigations by The INK however revealed that the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio is yet to respond to the letter.