Kogi public schools remain closed as teachers shun resumption

Teachers in public primary and junior secondary schools in Kogi State have refused to resume for the 2014/1015 academic session on September 29 as directed by the State Government.
The teachers, under the aegis of Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria, said in a statement in Lokoja on Sunday that they would not resume duty until they were paid the N18,000 national minimum wage.
The statement, signed by the state Chairman of the association, Suleiman Adomu, said that the issue of promotions and incremental steps without cash backing should be addressed by the state government without further delay.
Another demand made by the association was a stop to irregular payment of salaries to its members and full payment of the arrears of leave allowance being owed teachers from 2011 to date.
They said their grievances preceded the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease.
They maintained that the devastating effects of infrastructural decay and the unresolved issues of welfare of teachers had rubbished the basic education sector in the state.
According to BESAN, which has ordered its members out of classes since April, schools will not resume until all issues are resolved.
The group also decried what it described as incessant inconclusive and fraudulent screening/verification of staff exercise, which it said had aggravated the plight of teachers in the state.
It advised the state government to summon the necessary political will and release the results of the previous exercises.
BESAN then directed its over 1,500 members to remain at home until further notice, urging them to remain steadfast and committed to the uncompromising stance until all the issues raised were addressed once and for all.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Magareth Okhai, had on September 17 directed all schools in the state to resume normal academic activities on September 29.