Rumbek University of Science and Technology (RUST) academic staff on Tuesday went on strike over nonpayment of six months’ salary arrears.
The academic registrar and chairman of RUST’s academic staff association, Mathew Malou, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that the open-ended strike was to demand payment of six months’ salary arrears from the government.
“Everything has ceased, no lectures and other normal activities are going on until the general assembly sits down again to review the open strike demanding payment of six months’ salaries and decide what to do because we are left a semester and our lectures are supposed to end on the 7 April before students begin their examinations,” Malou said.
“Our appeal is that the higher education ministry intervenes because we are here to deliver quality education. We want the government to clear the six months arrears and we talk about other developmental projects and not issues of arrears every time,” he added.
Marual Makoi Malith, a student in the department of rural development said since the open strike began on Tuesday, lectures, tests, and assignments have stopped.
“We are supposed to end our lectures, tests, and assignments on 7 April and begin second-semester exams, but now everything has stopped. There are no tests, lectures, and assignments going on,” he said.
Mary Jacob Marial, a second-year student urged the government to pay the lecturers.
“One cannot deliver quality service to students if you go for six months without pay yet you have families who need food and other basic necessities,” she said.