The Executive Chairman of Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Sunday Amuna has appealed to primary school teachers in the state to rethink their plans to embark on strike.
Amuna made this appeal recently, shortly after monitoring the resumption of pupils in some primary schools in Jos and its environs.
Sunday STANDARD reports that primary school teachers in some local government areas are planning to embark on an industrial action over outstanding salary arrears.
Our correspondent gathered that the teachers affected by the non-payment of salaries were from Bassa, Jos South, Bokkos, Pankshin, Mikkang, Langtang North, and Langtang South LGAs.
According to Amuna, “I received a letter that teachers in Jos South, Langtang South, and many other areas are planning to embark on strike over outstanding salary arrears.
“It is not the fault of this administration that salaries of some teachers have not been paid. It is an inherited problem because the former chairmen of these areas left with these monies.
“This administration would not joke with salaries and incentives of teachers and other workers, because we believe in giving to labourers their dues. So, I want to appeal to teachers planning to embark on strike to shelve such plans for the sake of our children, and let us put heads together to address this matter amicably,” he appealed.
He commended the pupils and students of the schools visited for early resumption, and decried the dearth of infrastructure and paucity of qualified teachers for some core subjects.
“The turnout of students and teachers is quite impressive, but these are challenges that need urgent attention.
“There is a shortage of facilities, particularly furniture and other learning materials.
“But I want to assure the people of Plateau that we will do our best to address these gaps, and ensure our children get quality education,” he said.
SUNDAY STANDARD reports that some of the schools visited by the chairman were the Obasanjo Model Schools, Hwolshe, LEA, and Jos South, among others.
