Jonglei teacher strike enters second week

Teachers in South Sudan’s Jonglei state have been on strike for almost two weeks because they haven’t received allowances since August.

Teachers in South Sudan’s Jonglei state have been on strike for almost two weeks because they haven’t received allowances since August.

Teacher Simon Manyok told Radio Tamazuj they stopped work to protest non-payment of housing allowances since last August.

Simon also complained about low pay, saying a teacher is paid only 300 SSP per month in Jonglei.

He said the state government has not yet responded to complaints over pay issues for over three months.

“The governor claimed that the state budget has already been passed, but we see the assembly is yet to pass it, so the governor did not determine when the allowances will be paid,” he said.

Simon pointed out that although the strike is affecting children’s education, they won’t go back to work until the authorities meet their demands.

Photo: Lakes state teachers demonstrate on the streets to demand allowances, 19 February 2014 (Sudan Tribune)