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Nigeria: FG Warns Teachers Against Picketing Private Schools
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Daily Champion (Lagos)
3 July 2008
Posted to the web 3 July 2008
Danier Idonor
Abuja
Federal government yesterday warned striking teachers against picketing private schools, saying it will not tolerate any breach of law and order.
This came as the National Assembly yesterday waded into the crisis, as it passed a motion compelling the federal authorities to immediately implement the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS).
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had Tuesday, said it would alongside the organized labour and civil society organisations picket private schools which failed to join the strike.
Members of the union had since last Monday commenced an indefinite strike to force the federal government to implement the TSS.
Both the NUT and the federal authorities have been at daggers-drawn over the matter with the striking teachers accusing government of reneging on an earlier pact to resolve the industrial dispute.
But addressing state House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, the minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey, said the teachers would be carrying the strike too far if they forced private schools to join the strike.
Mr. Odey said the federal government was reviewing workers' salaries holistically and would not treat it sectorally.
"It is very unfortunate because the national union cannot sit down and take decisions for the state unions," the minister said, adding that the issue involved payment and ability to pay.
He reiterated that the federal government was not in a position to fix salaries for teachers because they were not on its employ.
"How would you compel private schools to take your own rates; they may even decide to pay higher than your own teachers. They don't fall into the same bracket.
"It is very unfortunate and sad that a group of people who are also pioneers in the education would take the laws into their hands and no reasonable government, of course, will allow that to happen.
"Families, entrepreneurs, of course, will not allow that to happen; at least, this country is civilised enough to know what we want to do by ourselves," he added.
The minister however said the federal government was disturbed about the strike event though its hands were tied by the constitution which placed education on the concurrent list.
Speaking also on the strike, the Education Minister, Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, said the ministry would not issue any circular approving the TSS.
Dr. Aja-Nwachukwu said teachers in Unity Schools, which are owned by the
Federal Government, were employed by the Federal Civil Service Commission, adding that the ministry had nothing to do with fixing salaries for them.
He therefore implored the NUT, which called the strike, to rescind its decision and allow for a peaceful atmosphere to resolve the crisis.
"NUT is a very responsible organisation and we doubt that they can go to that extent.
"We still believe that they will do everything within the law because we look up to them as mentors.
"We are yet to be convinced that they are doing such a thing; if they are doing it, then it is very unfortunate, said.
The meeting which was presided over by President Umaru Yar'Adua also approved a contract for the construction of a laboratory block at the University of Calabar.
The College of Medicine Laboratory, to be built at the university's permanent site, will be completed in nine months at the cost of N148.2 million.
Meanwhile, the Senate and House of Representatives yesterday, tasked the federal government commence immediately the TSS implementation has been provided for the 2008 appropriation Act.
The Senate statement from its committee chairman on Education, Mrs. Joy Emordi, expressed worry over the lingering situation.
She specifically noted that she has taken its practical step to ending the impasse.
However, the lower chamber was more vociferous as its chairman on Education, Hon. Farouk Lawan, moved a motion calling on government to immediately implement the TSS.
In the motion which was supported by 95 other members, the House expressed worry over the situation, saying the strike could worsen the "already decaying educational system in the country."
Stressing that the 2008 Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the president provided for the TSS, wondering why the situation has been allowed to linger without settlement.
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"The House regrets that the recent rescheduling of the National Examination Council (NECO), examinations was as attendant effect of the warning strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), we also appreciate the plight of teachers and the need for an enhanced salary structure (TSS) approved for them as an incentive to boost their morale and effectiveness in the discharge of their duties", Hon. Lawan added.
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