Education Minister Urges Striking Teachers To Return To Classrooms

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to teachers participating in the ongoing strike to return to the classroom while government works to address their concerns and resolve the issues underlying the industrial action.

The appeal followed a meeting between the minister and representatives of the teacher unions on September 28 to discuss the concerns that led to the strike.

Mr Iddrisu assured the unions that government remained committed to engaging them and finding a lasting solution to the impasse.

He also explained the roles and mandates of the various members of the government’s negotiation team, noting that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the government’s financial representatives have specific responsibilities in the negotiations.

“The government team is here as Minister for Education, I have no negotiation mandate. The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission by law has and they are here. The Comptroller as Treasurer of Government also has some mandate,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu urged the unions to work with government to resolve what he described as their legitimate concerns while ensuring that the ongoing dispute does not further disrupt the academic calendar.

He stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the education system, noting that the academic calendar had been stabilised after years of disruptions.

The minister therefore appealed to the teachers and their unions to consider the impact of the strike on students and cooperate with government as negotiations continue.

He said government remains committed to addressing the outstanding concerns while safeguarding the continuity of teaching and learning.