Public school teachers in Sudan’s East Darfur state will resume work Sunday after reaching a deal with the state government Wednesday ending a seven week strike over unpaid salaries.
The teachers had stopped work to protest non payment of arrears since 2011.
State education minister Minister Sadiq Abdel-Nabi announced at a press conference yesterday that the state government reached a final agreement with the East Darfur Teachers Union to end the strike.
Abdel-Nabi said the government conceded to pay full salaries and allowances during this month, and vowed to provide an enabling working environment for teachers.
“We also agreed to offer the ownership of a piece of land being used by South Darfur government as tannery to the teacher’s union so that they bridge a deficit of dues of 3 million pounds,” he said.
Abdel-Nabi blamed lack of education funds in East Darfur on rising security sector costs, but added that the the state government has come up with contingencies to avoid future crises.
Meanwhile, Education Workers Union secretary general Ali Issa Ahmed commended the state education council, parents’ council, and students for understanding the reasons for the strike.
Ali explained that the strike was not their aim, but a last resort to win legitimate rights for teachers.
He said they achieved 60% of their goals through the work stoppage. Ali urged teachers to exert their greatest efforts when classes begin again so students’ education isn’t affected.
Photo: Martyr Yunis Abu Suder Primary School in Dalami area, February 2013 (Radio Tamazuj)