Benue pry school teachers return to class •After 9-month strike • Pupils shun classes

Primary school teachers in Benue State, on Monday, resumed classes after nine months of strike.

The Nigerian Tribune which went round some public primary schools in the capital city of Makurdi also learnt that pupils abandoned classes.

Teachers who resumed work sat in groups to share their experiences during the prolonged strike.

At Christ African Church Nursery/Primary School, Wadata, all the teachers were in attendance but only 10 out of 700 pupils came to school while 31 out of 435 pupils of LGEA Primary School, Idemekpe, were in school at the time the Nigerian Tribune visited.

At LGEA, Wurukum, it was the same story as teachers resumed work but without pupils.

Speaking on their resumption, the head teachers of the visited schools,  Mrs Esther Zaaya, Rebecca Yugh and Laadi Ngbegha respectively expressed optimism that the pupils might turn up before the week runs out.

The head teachers said all the teachers in their respective schools had resumed and thanked God that despite reports of loss of lives during the prolonged strike, no one died in their schools.

The chairman of Parents/Teachers Association (PTA), CAC Nursery/Primary School, Wadata, Samson Oga, said he and other members had been going around to sensitise parents to ensure that their children/wards returned to school.

Reports from other local government areas of the state  indicate low turn out of pupils and massive turn out of teachers.

The state chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Godwin Anya,  said the teachers were relying on the Ministry of Education to draw new academic time table for them as they resumedon Monday to make up for the loss of academic session.

It will be recalled that the primary school teachers in the state had, in October, 2013, embarked on an indefinite strike over non implementation of the minimum wage.

Culled from: The Nigerian Tribune