More than 200 teachers in Panyijiar County, Unity State have staged a protest due to the prolonged detention of their salaries for three months. The demonstration on Wednesday stems from the government’s failure to disburse their salary arrears spanning May, June, and July.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Kai William Dak, Deputy Chairperson of the Panyijiar County Teachers’ Union (PCTU), confirmed the non-receipt of salaries for these three months.
William elaborated that the primary grievance prompting the protest is the non-payment of salaries for the seven months of May to December 2022. Addressing the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction, he appealed for immediate action on the outstanding salaries.
“Our protest aims to bring to your attention that we have not received our salaries for the seven months spanning May to December 2022,” explained William.
Despite reaching out to Unity State Minister of General Education and Instructions Stephen Tot Jock Chieng and Director General Michael Majang, the teachers reported receiving no response from the ministry.
“We are urging the National Ministry of General Education and Instructions in Juba to intervene and address our concerns with the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction. Despite our communication with the State Minister of General Education, there has been no response from both the minister and his Director General,” William stated.
Expressing their frustration, Kai highlighted the financial struggles faced by the teachers, emphasizing that while others receive their salaries, the teachers in Panyijar County are left without payment, alleging misappropriation of funds for personal businesses.
“We, the teachers from Panyijar County, are witnessing the misuse of our funds for personal business ventures. Despite our dedication to teaching students and pupils, we receive nothing at the end of each month from the State Ministry of General Education,” William added.
In response to the unresolved salary issues, William declared that the teachers initiated a strike on Wednesday, emphasizing that they would only reconsider their stance once the outstanding salaries are cleared. “It was expected that salaries would be disbursed promptly in the current year, but now we are in the concluding months of 2023, and our salaries remain unpaid,” he concluded.
In the midst of this, Peter Jal, a member of the Teachers Union in Panyijar County, expressed that the delayed remuneration is causing demotivation among teachers, particularly given the current challenges of high inflation and currency volatility in Panyijar County. Jal highlighted the financial strain on teachers, stating, “We have no money to feed our families, pay our children’s school fees, and meet essential needs.”
Contrary to this, the Minister of General Education and Instruction in Unity State claimed ignorance about the teachers’ protest in Panyijiar County. He asserted, “As far as I know, in Panyijar, they only missed one month of salary, which is May. I am aware that they did not receive their salaries for that one month.”
The minister further explained that he had informed Governor Dr. Manytuil not to channel teachers’ salaries to the Panyijiar County director due to an ongoing issue between the county education director and the teachers. He assured that he would communicate with the governor to address the situation promptly and ensure that teachers working at the county level receive their salaries as per their entitlement.
The funds were reportedly handed over to the county education director by the Ministry of General Education and Instruction on the previous day.
“As far as I know, the governor and I will work together to resolve this issue as soon as possible because the governor is displeased with the impact of this problem on our teachers in Unity State, especially in Panyijiar County,” Minister Jock emphasized.
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