Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has called on striking teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state to consider the lean purse of the state and their pupils' future and call off the strike.
The governor urged the teachers to accept the 15 per cent of the 27.5 per cent Peculiar Allowance being demanded by them, pledging to commence the payment of the remaining 12.5 per cent as soon as the state finances improve.
Dr. Fayemi, who spoke in a statewide television programme, urged teachers in the state to emulate their counterparts in Ogun State, who showed understanding with their state government and called off their strike after being offered 15 per cent increase.
According to him, Ogun State which has a monthly income of over N5 billion could only offer 15 per cent because of the heavy burden the demand would impose on its finances.
Fayemi said that the implementation of the 27.5 per cent special allowance for teachers would impose an additional N172 million wage bill on the state treasury per month and over N2 billion annually.
He promised to continue to appeal to the striking teachers to ensure the resolution of the dispute, expressing optimism that the stand-off would soon be resolved.
To motivate the teachers to give their best, the governor said his administration had offered them increase in their salaries no fewer than two times since he came into office, adding that teachers were on a minimum wage of N8, 500 when he became governor, but had since been beneficiaries of 33 per cent relativity pay and N19, 300 national minimum wage.
The governor said at the time the 33 per cent relativity pay rise was packaged for core civil servants, teachers also showed interest and were included in the package which they believed was higher than 27.5 per cent special allowance.
Fayemi explained that the ongoing recruitment of new teachers was not aimed at replacing the striking teachers, noting that the arrangement to bring new teachers on board to fill consequential vacancies in the teachings service was already in full swing before the strike commenced on June 1.
National Mirror