Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo branch, has described the directive of the state government’s ‘No work, no pay policy’ as a mere propaganda and empty threat that cannot hold waters.

The Edo State Government on Friday, through the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, announced February 1, 2020, for the resumption of full academic activities for public primary schools in the state.

It said all public school teachers and head teachers were to resume to their various schools on the announced date as failure to comply would be considered a forfeiture of their salaries.

“The Edo State Government wishes to reemphasise that all public school teachers and head teachers are required to be present in their various schools.

“Failure to resume work would be considered forfeiture of salary as the government has activated the no work, no pay policy.

“Head teachers and teachers who are desirous of staying away from work in support of the sponsored strike action by certain elements of the Edo State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers are required to hand over all school property in their custody to their respective education secretaries.

“The Edo State Government through the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board is collaborating with the relevant security agencies to ensure the protection of all public schools.

“Any wilful destruction of government property will be met with criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” Ogie stated.

However, the Edo teachers replied the state government, saying they would not yield to ‘empty threat’ until their demands are met.  

 NUT, Edo chairman, Pius Okhueleigbe, disclosed that the issues yet to be resolved by the state government included the non-implementation of promotions from 2016 to 2018, 2019 and 2020, non-payment of stipends to the participants of Edo BEST (Basic Education Sector Transformation) and arrears of promotion from 2013 to 2015 to teachers in Uhunmwonde, Oredo and Orhionmwon local government areas.

He added that “That (no work, no pay policy) is mere propaganda. It is not going to hold water. There are issues we want the government to settle. That is the demand of the teachers.

“Let the government meet the demands of the teachers instead of all that threat and propaganda. It is an empty threat.

“None of my members will resume on Monday. That is quite clear. The strike continues. All that the state government is saying is mere threat. It cannot hold water.”