NAGRAT Sets Conditions for Calling Off Teachers’ Strike
NAGRAT says teachers will return to the classroom only after government provides binding timelines and concrete commitments on the Collective Agreement, promotion payments and Deprived Area Allowance.
- NAGRAT demands binding timelines
- Promotion payments must be made
- Deprived Area Allowance by January 2027
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has stated that it will not call off its ongoing strike until the government provides clear, binding timelines for resolving the concerns raised by the teacher unions.
NAGRAT President, Jacob Anaba, said the government must formally document and sign its commitments on the Collective Agreement, promotion-related payments and the Deprived Area Allowance before teachers return to the classroom.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Anaba said the government had presented proposed timelines during its latest meeting with the unions, but further discussions were needed before any decision could be taken on the strike.
He said October 6 had been proposed for negotiations on the Collective Agreement, while the government had indicated that payment of the Deprived Area Allowance would begin in January 2027.
According to him, the October 6 date alone was not enough, as negotiations on the Collective Agreement could take some time.
NAGRAT, he said, wants both the commencement and completion dates for the negotiations clearly stated in a formal document.
On promotion-related payments, Mr Anaba said the union expects qualified teachers to actually receive the outstanding payments in their accounts.
He also welcomed the government’s commitment to begin paying the Deprived Area Allowance in January 2027 but insisted that the commitment must be formally documented and signed by both parties.
Mr Anaba explained that the unions had not yet tabled their concerns for further negotiation because the government had only presented proposed timelines at the latest meeting.
The pre-tertiary teacher unions are currently on an indefinite strike over outstanding concerns including promotion-related payments, the Collective Agreement and the Deprived Area Allowance.
