By: Alieu Ceesay
Just 24 hours after starting a sit-down strike due to the government’s failure to disburse the delayed November salaries for grant-aided schools and the first-term School Improvement Grant (SIG) for mission schools, the Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) announced late Monday evening that the issue had been resolved and that payments were made on the same day.
The strike that disrupted operations in several schools nationwide was initiated due to ongoing delays in fulfilling financial obligations. In response to the government’s actions, the Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) has urged affected teachers to return to work on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
“The industrial action was an unavoidable response to the government’s repeated failure to honor its commitments, inflicting undue financial hardships on teachers and adversely impacting schools,” stated a press release received by TAT from the Gambia Teachers Union.
The Union emphasized that while the payments have alleviated the immediate crisis, the incident highlights a recurring issue that must be addressed to avoid further disruptions in the education sector.
The GTU leadership commended teachers for their resilience and solidarity throughout the industrial action. “Our unity and determination have brought about this resolution. We urge the government to ensure timely payments in the future to avoid such situations,” the press release added.
The GTU expressed its gratitude to members and the public for their understanding and support, reaffirming its commitment to advocating for teachers’ welfare and the effective functioning of schools.
