The public primary and secondary school teachers in Western Bahr el-Ghazal want the government to clear their 13-month salary arrears before the reopening of schools next month.
They made the calls on Friday morning during their union general assembly at the State Ministry of General Education and Instructions.
The union had called the meeting to focus on the challenges the teachers were facing and to chart the way forward, including the demand for respect for their profession.
The meeting was conducted under the theme: We stand together for peace, unity and deserve equal rights in the country.
Some of the teachers who spoke to Radio Tamazuj, including Justin Mathew Uku, said the government did not take them seriously thus their salaries were always delayed.
“We are demanding our money. There is no equality because some people have already received their salaries but we in the Ministry of Education have been ignored,” said Uku.
“This shows that the teachers are not taken seriously. If we are not working, then let the government should close down the Ministry of Education,” he said.
“We will not teach if we are not given our salaries. We need to be physically and emotionally fit when we go to teach,” he added.
Betheria Edward Harun said teachers were facing severe economic challenges.
“As a teacher, you are responsible for the future generations. If a teacher goes to class while worried about their family, they cannot deliver well,” said Harun.
Moses Stephen said they had not been paid for more than 13 months.
“We are demanding that the government pays our salaries on time and that the arrears be cleared,” he said.