Not less that seventy one teaching staff of the Community Staff Schools in Abuja have been sacked following the demand for a pay raise and better working condition.
Staff members of the school which is run by the State Security Service (SSS), had held a protest for this cause.
Although run like private institutions, the primary and secondary schools, situated in Asokoro, are owned by the SSS.
In its memo dated November 2, 2020, the school management asked parents to allow the closure of the school for two weeks to enable the management re-organise the school.
However, the school only issued the notice after sacking all its teaching staff, – from headmaster and principal down to the laboratory attendants.
In one of the sack letters seen by this medium (dated November 2nd), issued to one of the teachers, the school wrote, “Due to the of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy vis-a-vis the crippling financial situation of the school. I am directed to convey the Director General, State Services (DGSS) Proprietor’s approval to disengage you from the services of the school with effect from 3rd November 2020.
“Meanwhile, you are expected to hand over all school properties in your custody. “You may wish to contact your Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) for your benefits. The proprietor wishes you well in your future endeavours, please.”
Back Story
On October 15, Staff from the two levels of the school held a protest, demanding an end to the repeated pay cut and called for better work conditions.
The staff demanded to be treated just as other civil servants in government-owned establishments are treated.
However their protests were suppressed by SSS operatives, who shot in the air while the schools were in session, to disperse the protesters, WAP learnt.
The SSS operatives sent the protesting staff back to the classrooms.
Despite unending promises from the management, the CSS have not been entitled to the benefits staff from government-owned establishments enjoy.
Staff who have worked for over 10 years as teachers in the school eventually got a pay raise. Five years ago, after a protest but their pay was further reduced after a month.
Five years back, they promised to revisit our conditions of service. They even increased our salaries but reduced it lower than what we used to earn a month later. They said it was a mistake but they are yet to correct this mistake till date,” Premium Times quoted a teacher to have said.
Aftermath of the protest
The outbreak coronavirus pandemic dealt a heavy blow on workers globally, but the school management choose to slash the salaries of its workers by half.
Just as the school reopened and teachers were asked to resume, salaries were again reduced.
While workers grumbled about the unfolding of unpleasant events, parents complained about the newly increased school fees for both the primary and secondary arms.
Under these prevalent conditions and realities, the staff again held a protest, which was harshly dispersed by SSS operatives three weeks ago.
The SSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya however denied the dismissal of the school teachers.
“No single staff was dismissed,” he said.
He stated that the school (CSS) is autonomous, saying the DSS has no control.
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