Delta primary school teachers kick, accuse Union of extortion over alleged imposition of N5,000 ID Card Fee
By Ezekiel Kagbala
Primary school teachers in Delta State have kicked against the executives of the State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT) for allegedly deducting a sum of Five Thousand Naira (N5,000) each from their salaries purportedly for the production of an identity card.
The aggrieved teachers described the action of the Union's executive as "oppressive and illegal deduction".
The teachers made their grievances over the issue known to journalists in a swift reaction to a circular signed by Dan Basime, State Secretary, NUT Delta State Wing, dated September 26, 2024, and addressed to the Ministry of Local Government Service Commission titled, “Production of Identity Card For Primary School Teachers”.
The circular partly reads, “I am directed by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Delta State Wing, to officially inform you to commence production of identity card (ID), for Primary School Teachers as well as the staff of the Local Government Education Authority as discussed.
“I am to also add that the cost of producing of the ID be deducted twice from their salaries at source”.
Some of the teachers who spoke to journalists on the issue, but who would not want their names in print, condemned the Union's action saying "it is unfair for the Executives of the Union to deduct N5,000 from each teacher in Delta State for an Identity card at this moment when the economy is biting".
They spoke further, “What is the cost of producing Identity Card especially when you are mass producing and why are they always tampering with the primary school teachers salaries at will?
"Why were they elected to oversee the activities of the teachers? Why is the primary school teachers is always their targets in all their policies? Were they elected to extort and punish us or to work for our interest?".
The teachers in their numbers accused the State NUT executives, lamenting what they tagged "the ill treatment" always meted on primary school teachers contrary to the treatment accorded their counterparts in the secondary schools.
Also, they lamented the "deliberate delay" of the promised arrears to be paid teachers by the State Government stating that it is as a result of alleged manipulation of how the monies could be deducted for frivolous purposes.
“Our secondary school counterparts have been paid and they were paid completely. Why is ours different?", some of the agitated teachers asked.
In another circular dated October 16, 2024, addressed to the Chairmen of Local Governments, HPM’s and TLG’s with the title “Production of identity cards for Primary school teaching and non-teaching staff of local government education authority".
“I am directed to refer to the above subject and to notify you of the request letter dated 26th September, 2024, with reference number NUT/DSW/ 004/Vol. 7/88, from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State Wing, which issued a directive to carry out the production of identity card (ID) to all staff of the Local Education Authority.
“Furthermore I wish to convey to the Local Government Service Commissions approval to kick-start a two phase installment deduction of the sum of Five Thousand Naira (#5,000) from their salaries at source.
Phase one, a sum of N2,500 be deducted in October 2024, why the phase two deduction should be made in November 2024 respectively for the deduction.”
The teachers who were visibly sad and angered by the development, called on the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to wade in and stop what they described as obnoxious policies and oppressive methods of extortion from teachers.
‘We are sick and tired of illegal and oppressive deduction by the NUT Executive led by Comr. T.O Okotie. He and his executives are only concerned about their Secondary school teachers welfares.”
Some teachers who spoke to journalists at Asaba the state capital, alleged that the arrears which is to be paid to the primary school teachers has been delayed because, those elected to oversee the activities of the union are working round the clock to cut down what is due to the primary school teachers. They also alleged that some of the executives in the local governments have already received their arrears in full along with their loved ones and their wives and relatives, while others arrears is been delayed because they want to knifed it for their selfish reasons.
An unconfirmed report however revealed that one of the officials of the Delta NUT, in one of the local government councils, has been paid alongside his wife, who is also a primary school teacher, since last week fully while others alleged that all their monies have been slashed by the NUT authority in the state.
They called on well meaning individuals and people with value to the primary education to come to their aid to prevail against the illegal deduction at source, stating that the salary is not even enough to service their families, let alone deducting unnecessarily from their meagre salaries and arrears.
