As the strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) nears its third month, the recent proposal by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to bypass Area Councils and directly pay teachers has yet to materialize.
Despite the minister’s suggestion sparking brief hope among stakeholders, no concrete steps have been taken to implement the plan. As a result, thousands of pupils across the six Area Councils remain out of school, with academic activities at a complete standstill.
Education advocates and parents have expressed growing frustration over the prolonged industrial action, blaming both the FCT Administration and the Area Councils for the impasse.
“The longer this drags on, the greater the setback for our children’s education,” said Hauwa Bello, a parent in Bwari. “It’s time for action, not more promises.”
The striking teachers, under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), are demanding the payment of outstanding entitlements and improved welfare, which they say the councils have failed to address for years.
With no resolution in sight, calls are mounting for the FCT Minister to match words with decisive intervention.
