Osun teachers give state govt 14 days to avert indefinite strike

Teachers in Osun have given the state government 14-day ultimatum to pay their outstanding allowances, release running grants and provide instructional materials in schools.

This was contained in a letter sent to Rauf Aregbesola, governor of the state, by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

The state chapter of the union warned that failure of the government to meet their demands would lead to indefinite strike in primary and secondary schools.

The teachers, among other things, demanded the immediate provision of the required instructional materials in schools and release of current examination and previous running grants.

According to the union, the leave grants of secondary school teachers have not been paid since December 2013.

Signed by the Olawuyi Emmanuel, chairman of the union, the letter also reminded the governor of the contents of a communiqué issued on October 14 where the same issues were raised.

“In our last communiqué issued on October 14, 2014, jointly signed by the NUT and ANCOPSS, we requested the state government to honour and give immediate attention to the following demands,” NAN quoted the union as saying.

“We also demanded the provision of instructional materials to schools, release of current examination and previous running grants to schools, and the payment of leave grant of secondary schools teachers since December 2013.

“In the same communiqué, we could recall that the NUT humbly requested the state government or its representative to invite the leadership of the union for a dialogue to address the issues.

“Unfortunately, the state government has not considered it necessary to do so, while our job as teachers in the classroom continues to suffer.

“In this regard, therefore, the Nigeria Union of Teachers wish to give the state government an ultimatum of 14 days to address the above issues.”