The long absence of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State from office may have started having affecting the operation of the state as primary school teachers were not paid their December salaries before the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The teachers on Wednesday appealed to the state government to pay the outstanding salary to enable them settle their wards’ school fees.
The teachers blamed the government for their inability to contribute their own quotas to the growth of education in the state, accusing the state government of not giving priority to their welfare.
An affected teacher who does not want his name in print said his family celebrated a dry Christmas and New Year.
“We celebrated this season almost without food on our table. I could not provide my family with the needed things because I so much relied on my December salary but to my surprise, we were not paid.
“I could not even borrow because it was already late and I so much expected this salary to come. It was horrible for my family during the celebrations,”he said.
Another affected female teacher who also pleaded anonymity said, “It is very unfair that one will work and not get paid, especially in this season.
“We celebrated Christmas and New Year from hand to mouth and now that the celebration is over, the government should endeavour to pay us our money so that we can pay our children’s school fees.”
Confirming the non-payment of the teachers’ December salary and entitlements, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in the state, Mr Chumaife Nze said,“I contacted the permanent secretary of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board before Christmas but he said the salaries and leave allowances have been released but up until now, no teacher has received a bank alert on the payment.”
“I do not understand what is happening. Even volunteer teachers have not received any salary since they were recruited in 2011,’’ Nze added.
When contacted, the Enugu State. Commissioner of Education, Dr Simon Ortuanya, expressed shock at the non- payment of the salaries.
He said, “I need to confirm this. I cannot comment unless I confirm this but I will be surprised if that is the situation.”
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