– We have lost our promotion arrears for 23 months, A’Ibom Teachers lament
Teachers in the State Secondary Education Board has decried the demand for the payment of the sum of N3000 (three thousand naira) each before they are payroll In their new salary grade levels.
This was confirmed by a broadcast message sent to all LEC zonal directors in the state by the PRO, State Secondary Education Authority on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
“Reports reaching the Permanent Secretary, State Secondary Education Board, Mr Okon Effiong Tom from the Head of Civil Service is that teachers, who have just received their promotion letters are asked to pay the sum of #3,000 ( Three thousand naira) each before they are patrolled in their new salary grade levels.
“The Permanent Secretary hereby warns that whoever is involved in such act should desist forthwith otherwise he/she will face the consequences.
One of the affected teachers who spoke to the guide Newspaper, on anonymity, disclosed that teachers on grade level 9 that went for their promotion interviews in early 2024 has just received their promotion letters last week. Going to submit at the Local Education Authority they are now demanding for them to pay the sum of N3000 (three thousand naira) each before they can enjoy the new salary grade levels.
Meanwhile,this teachers has lost already 23 months salary arrears,and now the Local Education Authority are seeking for money from them,
“It is almost two years since we went for promotion interviews and till now, it is not yet implemented, rather the local Education Authority are demanding N3000 naira, we have lost the arrears of 23 months, according to promotion letters financial benefit is taking effect this December, against January 2024 effective date”.
That is nearly two years of our labour gone, the aggrieved teachers told our reporter that “We labour so hard for this State but the State Secondary Education Board keeps cheating us heartlessly every year, sometimes they will ask us to pay N1000 so that the board can print our their promotion letters, it is so bad considering the current economic reality in the country.
” People are demoralized, depressed, and getting poorer. Teachers are living in debt because they are not being paid what they are due, while the local Education Authority is injecting two much pains into their bad situation. But those who are working daily to keep this State going are forced to forfeit their entitlements”. he concluded.
Other members who spoke separately to our reporter, expressed their displeasure with how unfairly the State Secondary Education Board has treated them on their promotion.
Finally, they group called on the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD to stop the Local Education Authority from collecting them the sum N3000 before implementing their 2024 promotion.
