Over two years after their sack, former teachers with the Kaduna State government have raised alarm over the non-payment of their entitlements.
The teachers who were disengaged following a screening test trooped to the Nigerian Union of Journalists secretariat in Kaduna to draw attention to their plight since leaving the teaching service.
They came under the auspices of Association of Disengaged Teachers in Kaduna State, on 10th December, 2019.
EduCeleb.com recalls that in November 2017, a total of 21, 780 teachers were sacked after they failed to score up to 60 percent in a primary four test. Thereafter, about 25,000 teachers were appointed as their replacement.
In a press conference, the spokesman of the group, Joseph Audu said in their endless wait for their benefits, they have been subjected to lots of hardship.
He said many who are on their sickbeds have no money for treatment while others have died, waiting hopelessly for what is theirs.
They appealed to Governor El-Rufai to intervene on their behalf so that those holding their money, can release it.
According to them, the governor has repeatedly said he is not owing them.
“About 21,780 teachers were disengaged in Kaduna state. When we were disengaged from the services of Kaduna state government, our benefits were not paid”.
“We are faced with lots of problems. We have a lot of outstanding salaries ranging from 3, 5, 7 and 8 months that are not paid”.
“We also have outstanding leave grants for 2015, 2016 and 2017 yet unpaid. Our gratuity, to be frank, is something miserable”.
“We are not here to fight the government. No! We are here to plead with the government. We are begging the government, especially Governor Nasir El-Rufai to do something about our plight”, he stated.
Hajiya Nafisat Bello, Asst. Chairman, 2 Igabi LG said, “We came here in peace. We are not here to fight the government. For the past 2yrs that we have been disengaged, we have been living like beggars”, she stated.
“We want the government to look into our plights. We want him (governor) to intervene so that we can get our money and live a better life as many husbands have deserted their families because of the hash condition”, she added.
