Why Federal Government Must Intervene in Lingering Strike by Primary School Teachers in FCT – SPEC

By Chinedu Echianu

A non-governmental organization, Save Public Education Campaign (SPEC) has appealed to the federal government to Intervene in the lingering strike embarked upon by primary school teachers in public schools in the Federal Capital Territory.

A statement released in Abuja by the convener of Save Public Education Campaign, Vivian Bello says the close to ninety days strike over the non-implementation of seventy-thousand-naira minimum wage, has crippled education in the six area councils of the FCT.

The Save Public Education Campaign reaffirmed its full support for the forthcoming three-day mass protest on the strike, and called on the FCT leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to stand in full solidarity with the striking workers until the government meets their demands.

Parts of the statement read; “The Area Council Chairmen have continuously violated the agreement to pay teachers their new minimum wage and settle outstanding allowances. SPEC condemns this irresponsible and inhumane attitude from elected public officials who seem indifferent to the suffering of teachers and the disruption of learning for thousands of pupils.

“Since the strike resumed on March 24, 2025, education across more than 400 public primary schools in the six area councils of the FCT has been crippled. Many students are now forced to stay at home, while others are left unattended in poorly maintained classrooms—if they can access schools at all.

“We reject the now familiar lame rhetorics often rehearsed by the Area Council Chairmen that they lack the financial capacity to meet the teachers’ demands. These are blatant falsehoods.

The truth is that many of them have shifted focus to upcoming elections, abandoning their constitutional responsibility to workers and the public.

“The Save Public Education Campaign salutes the unwavering commitment of the striking teachers who have endured months of hardship to defend their rights. We fully support their cause and commend their courage in the face of such neglect.”