By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Teachers of both primary and secondary schools have complied in total, the directive of National Union of Teachers (NUT) Kaduna State Branch to embark on indefinite strike despite Governor Nasiru el-Rufai’s threat to sack those who fail to resume their duty from the holidays.
Our correspondent in Northern Senatorial District reports that in Zaria, Sabon Gari, Soba, Giwa, Kudan, Makarfi, Kubau and Ikara local government areas respectively, all the public schools remained closed and students remained at home.
Some parents who spoke to our correspondent, expressed their dismay over the situation which brings a setback to their children education at this material time.
According to them, the step taken by the state governor is a wrong approach and a rethink of the decision should be taken to address the issue accordingly.
Also, some parents have faulted government on the way and manner it conducted the said competency examination for teachers of primary school, in which the score line is not the approved scores anywhere in the world of examination body that until one scores 75% that is distinction before he/she will be considered as one who passed the examination.
“Anybody that scores 40% from primary to undergraduate has successfully passed the examination while for postgraduate is 50% and PhD 60% respectively”.
Some teachers who spoke to New Nigerian Online said, “Despite the wise counsel of well meaning Nigerians and protests from the congress including an injunction from the National Industrial Court ( NIC) which had ruled that the status quo should be maintained until the determination of the substantive suit brought before it by the unjustly dismissed workers and unionist in Kaduna state, Governor Nasiru el-Rufai like all despots has remained adamant.”
” Yet he went ahead to serve teachers with sack letters on 2nd January 2018 with a backdate of 15th November 2017, this according to them, Governor el-Rufai has proven he is above the law.”
The teachers of public schools have resolved to support and comply with any directives given by their union as they recalled when Governor el-Rufai released form to choose either to be with the union or government which at the end over 95.5% of Kaduna State Civil Servants chose to be with their unions.
“If Governor el-Rufai is sincere enough let him release their monthly contribution tagged “END WELL” which is their personal money but he hijacked the account to government custody with no reason nor explanation for his action”.
The teachers said, they will continue to remain loyal to their union leaders until Governor el-Rufai allows rule of law and civil service rules work accordingly in Kaduna State, they vowed to sustain the strike until further notice.
While reacting to the senior special adviser on media and publicity to Governor el-Rufai Samuel Aruwan’s statement as unfortunate with even wrong date of 7th June 2018 which shows his incompetency like teachers as Governor Nasiru claimed.
