Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are set to resume their strike action on Monday, January 15, 2024. The decision was announced by the FCT Wing of the National Union of Teachers (NUT).
The strike initially began in September 2023 when teachers called for a 40% Peculiar Allowance and the settlement of 25 months of outstanding minimum wage arrears. Although the strike was temporarily suspended in October after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, established a six-person committee to investigate the issues, teachers claim that progress has been slow.
In a communique following an emergency meeting, the NUT FCT Wing expressed disappointment with the lack of tangible results from the committee’s work. The communique stated that primary school teachers remain in a desperate situation, struggling with the rising cost of living while their rightful entitlements are withheld.
If the grievances of primary school teachers are not addressed by January 19th, secondary school teachers throughout the FCT will join the strike on January 22nd.