By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) in a press release issued on Monday 2nd December 2024 has called off the strike by teachers and asked them to resume work.
It said the Government has finally met its obligations by disbursing the outstanding November 2024 salaries for Grant-aided/SSS Board Schools and the First Term School Improvement Grant (SIG) for Mission Schools.
The Teachers Union initially declared a sit-down strike over delayed November salaries for Grant-aided schools and unpaid School Improvement Grant for mission schools.
“As a result, the Union wishes to inform teachers in the affected schools to resume work today, Tuesday 3rd December 2024,” the union stated.
Essa Sowe, Deputy General Secretary of the Gambia Teachers Union said: “The industrial action was an unavoidable response to the government’s repeated failure to honour its commitment, inflicting undue financial hardships on teachers and adversary impacting schools.”
“The solidarity has resulted in the swift resolution of the concerns and underscores the importance of our voices being heard and respected without further delay,” the union stated.
The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) had earlier warned of extending its ongoing industrial action to all schools nationwide if the government fails to fulfill its financial obligations by Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
On Monday, this reporter visited schools in the Kanifing Municipality, where teachers were seen idling, refusing to teach. Students roamed the premises aimlessly, with many heading home due to the lack of classes.
“We are denied our rights. The government has not prioritized education, which is why our salaries remain unpaid,” said a teacher at Daddy Jobe Senior Secondary School, who requested anonymity. “We won’t return to the classroom until the subsidies are paid.”
The GTU did express solidarity with its members, emphasizing the impact of unpaid SIGs on school operations. “This non-payment disrupts quality education service delivery and imposes undue hardship on our members. The Union will hold the government accountable and will not tolerate such delays in 2025 or beyond,” the GTU stated.
Students voiced concerns about the timing of the strike, with end-of-term exams approaching. “This is a misplacement of priorities,” said Mariam Dampha, a student at Kairaba Senior Secondary School. “The government cannot claim a lack of funds when it’s spending millions on the President’s nationwide tour.”
Another teacher lamented the financial strain: “It’s frustrating to teach for a whole month and go home empty-handed. This government does not respect teachers.”
The GTU called on its members to stand united during the industrial action and remain firm in their demands. “Together, we can ensure the voices of educators are heard and their concerns addressed without delay,” the Union urged.
Efforts to reach the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for comments were unsuccessful as he was unavailable. Foroyaa remains committed to providing updates as the situation unfolds.
