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  • FCT NUT strike: We have commenced talks to resolve issues – UBEB

    FCT NUT strike: We have commenced talks to resolve issues – UBEB

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) have commenced a strike action, making all public primary school children stay home till their teachers’ demands are met.

    This was after a 14-day ultimatum that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, issued to the six area councils in the territory.

    In a swift reaction, the acting chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr. Hassan Sule lamented that they shouldn’t have called for the strike yet, since they are in talks with them.

    The union, however, commended the intervention of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, for paying 40% of the total sum of 25 months minimum wage arrears to primary school teachers.

    Pupils who went to public schools on Wednesday returned home disappointed when their teachers directed them back.

    It would be recalled that the NUT FCT wing had initially suspended the strike in anticipation of the Area Council Chairmen’s response to their demands.

    Sule said: “I just finished talking to the FCT ALGON chairman and the NUT Chairman now.  We resolved that they are going to compute how much the outstanding payment is now.

    “But I’m even appealing to NUT that if the discussion is in progress, they should wait until all avenues are being exhausted, so they shouldn’t have downed-tool.”

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    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing on Tuesday directed all primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to resume their suspended strike action, effective today, September 18, 2024.

    According to Comrade Abdullahi Shafa, State Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, “The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) deliberated extensively on the issues affecting teachers in the FCT and resolved to resume the suspended strike action due to the non-response of the Council Chairmen to our demands”.

    Shafa said some of the unresolved issues include: “Payment of Remaining 60% of Minimum Wage Arrears: The union is demanding the payment of the remaining 60% of the 25 months Minimum Wage Arrears owed to primary school teachers.

    “Implementation of Salary Increase*: The union is seeking the implementation and payment of arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increase. Payment of Peculiar Allowance*: The union is demanding the implementation and payment of arrears of the 40% Peculiar Allowance.

    “Payment of Wage Award: The union is seeking the payment of arrears of the N35,000 Wage Award.

    “Correct Implementation of Template: The union wants the correct and continuous implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of teachers, as agreed upon in 2022”.

    The strike, he said, will continue until the Area Council Chairmen meet the union’s demands.

    NUT advised parents to keep their children at home until further notice.

    “We appeal to all teachers to remain calm and disregard any counter directives except as directed by the Union,” said Comrade Margaret F. Jethro, State Secretary of the NUT FCT Wing.

    The union also commended the intervention of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, in paying 40% of the total sum of 25 months Minimum Wage Arrears to primary school teachers.

    Pupils who went to school on Wednesday returned home disappointed, as according to them, their teachers directed them back on getting to the school gate.

    Also, a primary school teacher who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that a resolution was taken before the exercise kicked off.

    She said the strike is mainly on the demand to press the six area councils to fulfill their pledge to settle 60 percent owed minimum wage arrears.

    She condemned the councils over their non-implementation of paying teachers a 40 percent peculiar allowance, as well as the non-implementation of 25 percent and 35 percent teacher’s salary increments, respectively.

    “It would also be followed by the protest as well as solidarity from the secondary schools’ teachers in the long run. But as of now, it would affect the JSS 1 incoming students because their result is due for release,” she added.

    The strike has affected all public primary schools in the FCT, leaving thousands of pupils affected.

  • NITDA, UBEB begin digital empowerment for FCT students

    NITDA, UBEB begin digital empowerment for FCT students

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) at the weekend began a digital training and competition for FCT schools.

    The partnership would see 24 promising young minds from six FCT schools immerse themselves in a two-week intensive training programme focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Coding, and Robotics, said Hajiya Hadiza Umar, Head of Corporate Communications of NITDA.

    The programme is expected to empower students from the FCT in digital skills and open channels of opportunities for participants and their mates.

    According to Hajiya Umar, the Reality House competition, which is designed to stimulate creativity and problem-solving would host a dynamic group of 54 individuals – three students and a teacher from each of the eight schools, and a 12-person support team.

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    Umar explained in a statement that the programme aimed to cultivate a new generation of tech-savvy problem solvers.

     Participants are drawn from JSS Tudun Fulani, JSS Narai Karu, JSS Karu, JSS Kubwa 1, JSS Abaji, JSS Kekeshi, JSS Dutse Alhaji 2, and JSS Pyakasa, She said.

    She added that they would compete in a reality house TV show-style competition, culminating in a head-to-head debate showcasing their newly acquired skills.

    Hajiya Umar said the programme aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitalisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.

    She stated that the programme was further captured in NITDA’s pillar of fostering digital literacy and creating a pipeline of tech talent.

    “By equipping these young students with AI, coding, and robotics skills, we are investing in the future of Nigeria,” said NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

     “This collaboration with FCT UBEB is a significant step towards building a digitally empowered society”, the DG added.

    The programme would not only enhance students’ academic performance but also instill essential life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

    Winners of the competition would be rewarded with cash prizes and continued mentorship from NITDA and FCT UBEB, Hajiya Umar said.

    Our correspondent learnt that the previous editions of the programme yielded increased school enrollment and a growing interest in ICT among students and educators.