Wike
As the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory enters its fourth month, some of the pupils have turned to hawking as teachers beg for money for survival.
For over 100 days, primary school pupils in Abuja have been left to their fate while government authorities and labour unions continue a protracted tug-of-war.
The industrial action, led by the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, is the fourth since late 2023.
The teachers are demanding the full implementation of a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024, which promised a N70,000 minimum wage for teachers.
They are also demanding the payment of 25 to 35 per cent salary arrears, a 40 per cent peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award announced by the Federal Government, and arrears of several years’ promotion benefits.
Due to the inaction of relevant authorities, civil rights groups, activists, and labour unions staged protests condemning the strike.
Pupils turn hawkers
The strike, now in its third academic term, has left thousands of pupils stranded at home, sparking growing anger from parents, civil society, and even other labour unions.
As a result of the prolonged strike, children who should be in class are found roaming markets, chasing after vehicles, or hawking sachet water and groundnuts under the scorching sun.
Cases of underage sellers with wares are now commonplace across the capital.
In Jabi and Wuse markets, primary school pupils can be seen carrying trays of zobo, oranges, and locally baked snacks.
Others, without any means to hustle or supervision, loiter aimlessly.
For many of the children, the tasks are mandated by their parents, who believe the activities will keep them engaged until the impasse between the teachers and the administration is resolved.
“My mum usually makes me follow her to the shop, and I help her to sell provisions and food items in the market. I miss meeting my friends in school,” said eight-year-old Blessing (surname withheld).
“I come here to sell zobo and kunu at the park while my mum sells in the (Utako) market,” 11-year-old John told Saturday PUNCH.
“I should be preparing for common entrance, but we have not been in class since March. I miss school. I don’t like being at home because my parents always ask me to do things around the house,” he added.
“I come here to play ball every day,” said 10-year-old Ibrahim, a Primary 4 pupil from a government school in Bwari.
Parents move children
Saturday PUNCH gathered that some parents, particularly civil servants and middle-income earners, have managed to move their children to low-cost private schools as a temporary fix, though not without financial strain.
“I had to borrow money to register my son in a private school,” said Favour Onwudiwe, a widow in Lugbe. The fees are higher, and they keep demanding extra charges. But I cannot let him waste a whole term sitting at home.
“I’m sure you know this strike started towards the end of the first term, if I’m correct. This is the third term, which they call the promotional term. It is unfair that these children will miss their promotion, and we don’t even know how they will make up for the lost time, so I had to move them,” she added.
Another parent in Bwari Area Council, Mr Chukwuemeka Ifeanyi, explained that he decided to move his children after a previous strike by the teachers lasted six weeks, fearing that another would impede the children’s progress.
“At that time, they were attending a school where I paid just over N25,000 as school fees for each of them. Their new school charges more than N50,000, excluding other charges, because you know it’s a private school. It’s not easy, but I’m very glad I did it,” he said.
An FCTA staff member, Mr Jimoh Dauda, lamented the situation, stating that he had been forced to watch his children waste away academically.
“It is unfortunate, but there is nothing I can do. My children have been at home since the strike started. If I could, I would rather homeschool them. But that’s also an expense I cannot afford. It makes me sad, but there’s nothing I can do,” he said.
Teachers turn private tutors
As pupils roam the streets, their teachers are stuck in a different kind of limbo.
Frustrated by months of unpaid salaries and a government they describe as “nonchalant,” many educators are now seeking alternative means of survival.
“I now teach home lessons for private families,” said Mrs Sandra Anyebe, a teacher with over 15 years of experience.
“It’s not much, but it keeps food on the table. I love teaching, but love doesn’t pay rent. Some of my colleagues are learning trades or trying to migrate. It’s that bad,” she added.
A member of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Peter Afolayan, said primary school teachers were only demanding salary payments based on the new minimum wage.
“So, the primary school teachers have been at home for over three months now, on the grounds that their minimum wage has not been implemented. One of our demands here is that the minimum wage should be implemented.
“The FCTA’s minimum wage has been implemented. We all go to the same market, so we are saying they should also give teachers what is due to them, considering the economic situation in Nigeria. It’s not easy for them at all, taking care of their children, managing family issues. It hasn’t been easy for them, so that’s just the position of things,” he said.
Another teacher, Anke James, noted the delays in salary payments and the non-implementation of promotions since 2023, adding that he could not afford to miss another promotion.
“Well, you know the teaching profession is not one where teachers can make money outside their salary. So, our demand is that our salaries should be paid on time. We don’t receive our salaries until the next month, let’s say the 5th, 6th, or sometimes even the 8th, before we get paid. Punch
