As the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory enters its fourth month, some of the pupils have turned to hawking as teachers beg for money for survival.

For over 100 days, primary school pupils in Abuja have been left to their fate while government authorities and labour unions continue a protracted tug-of-war.

The industrial action, led by the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, is the fourth since late 2023.

The teachers are demanding the full implementation of a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024, which promised a N70,000 minimum wage for teachers.

They are also demanding the payment of 25 to 35 per cent salary arrears, a 40 per cent peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award announced by the Federal Government, and arrears of several years’ promotion benefits.

Due to the inaction of relevant authorities, civil rights groups, activists, and labour unions staged protests condemning the strike.

Pupils turn hawkers

The strike, now in its third academic term, has left thousands of pupils stranded at home, sparking growing anger from parents, civil society, and even other labour unions.

As a result of the prolonged strike, children who should be in class are found roaming markets, chasing after vehicles, or hawking sachet water and groundnuts under the scorching sun.

Cases of underage sellers with wares are now commonplace across the capital.

In Jabi and Wuse markets, primary school pupils can be seen carrying trays of zobo, oranges, and locally baked snacks.

Others, without any means to hustle or supervision, loiter aimlessly.

For many of the children, the tasks are mandated by their parents, who believe the activities will keep them engaged until the impasse between the teachers and the administration is resolved.

“My mum usually makes me follow her to the shop, and I help her to sell provisions and food items in the market. I miss meeting my friends in school,” said eight-year-old Blessing (surname withheld).

“I come here to sell zobo and kunu at the park while my mum sells in the (Utako) market,” 11-year-old John told Saturday PUNCH.

“I should be preparing for common entrance, but we have not been in class since March. I miss school. I don’t like being at home because my parents always ask me to do things around the house,” he added.

“I come here to play ball every day,” said 10-year-old Ibrahim, a Primary 4 pupil from a government school in Bwari.

Parents move children

Saturday PUNCH gathered that some parents, particularly civil servants and middle-income earners, have managed to move their children to low-cost private schools as a temporary fix, though not without financial strain.

“I had to borrow money to register my son in a private school,” said Favour Onwudiwe, a widow in Lugbe. The fees are higher, and they keep demanding extra charges. But I cannot let him waste a whole term sitting at home.

“I’m sure you know this strike started towards the end of the first term, if I’m correct. This is the third term, which they call the promotional term. It is unfair that these children will miss their promotion, and we don’t even know how they will make up for the lost time, so I had to move them,” she added.

Another parent in Bwari Area Council, Mr Chukwuemeka Ifeanyi, explained that he decided to move his children after a previous strike by the teachers lasted six weeks, fearing that another would impede the children’s progress.

“At that time, they were attending a school where I paid just over N25,000 as school fees for each of them. Their new school charges more than N50,000, excluding other charges, because you know it’s a private school. It’s not easy, but I’m very glad I did it,” he said.

An FCTA staff member, Mr Jimoh Dauda, lamented the situation, stating that he had been forced to watch his children waste away academically.

“It is unfortunate, but there is nothing I can do. My children have been at home since the strike started. If I could, I would rather homeschool them. But that’s also an expense I cannot afford. It makes me sad, but there’s nothing I can do,” he said.

Teachers turn private tutors

As pupils roam the streets, their teachers are stuck in a different kind of limbo.

Frustrated by months of unpaid salaries and a government they describe as “nonchalant,” many educators are now seeking alternative means of survival.

“I now teach home lessons for private families,” said Mrs Sandra Anyebe, a teacher with over 15 years of experience.

“It’s not much, but it keeps food on the table. I love teaching, but love doesn’t pay rent. Some of my colleagues are learning trades or trying to migrate. It’s that bad,” she added.

A member of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Peter Afolayan, said primary school teachers were only demanding salary payments based on the new minimum wage.

“So, the primary school teachers have been at home for over three months now, on the grounds that their minimum wage has not been implemented. One of our demands here is that the minimum wage should be implemented.

“The FCTA’s minimum wage has been implemented. We all go to the same market, so we are saying they should also give teachers what is due to them, considering the economic situation in Nigeria. It’s not easy for them at all, taking care of their children, managing family issues. It hasn’t been easy for them, so that’s just the position of things,” he said.

Another teacher, Anke James, noted the delays in salary payments and the non-implementation of promotions since 2023, adding that he could not afford to miss another promotion.

“Well, you know the teaching profession is not one where teachers can make money outside their salary. So, our demand is that our salaries should be paid on time. We don’t receive our salaries until the next month, let’s say the 5th, 6th, or sometimes even the 8th, before we get paid.

“Then, our promotions as well; people due for promotion in 2023, people due in 2024, have still not been promoted. So, we are demanding that our promotions be implemented. I missed two years in 2015, and I cannot afford to miss another opportunity to be promoted,” he said.

James also lamented the state of schools, noting that many were in poor condition, even if they were to resume.

“Some schools have about 3,000 students and no toilets for staff or teachers. So, we are demanding that the minister should not only focus on schools in the city centre. He should go to the suburbs and actually see what is happening,” he added.

Teachers beg for survival

Another teacher and member of ASUSS, who gave his name only as Moses, lamented that he and his wife now survive on loans since the strike began over three months ago.

“It’s been a terrible situation because my wife is a primary school teacher. It’s a total collapse. She’s just surviving because of me. And how am I helping? Loans. My payslip is filled with deductions from different loan apps, just to survive, just to pay some bills. It’s not that we’re living large. I live in a house that’s still yet to be completed.

“My wife even tried to assist by taking loans herself. Her salary is not more than N10,000 per month. A level 10 officer, waiting for level 12 this year, and she earns N10,000 monthly. It’s not just her; many are begging here and there, as if they’re not in their own city.

“So, the government should arrest the situation. We’re tired of local government. The minister should come out and address the FCT. Let us know the state of things,” he lamented.

Before now, the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCTA, threatening to shut down Abuja if the strike was not resolved.

The NLC said the continued closure of primary schools was “a clear violation of the rights of children to basic education.”

Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students announced plans to stage a protest to demand the reopening of public schools.

Wike’s closed-door meeting

During a closed-door meeting held by the FCT Minister, Wike, with the NUT, NANS, Saturday PUNCH gathered that the six area council chairmen agreed to forfeit 10 per cent of their internally generated revenue for the next six months to settle outstanding salaries and allowances owed to public school teachers.

After the meeting, the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the chairmen, confirmed the decision.

He, however, described It as a painful one for the chairmen.

Abdullahi pleaded with the NUT to call off the strike so that the pupils could return to school.

“We collectively agreed that the 10 per cent IGR for six months should go to the NUT,” he added.

The NANS President, Olushola Ladoja, told journalists after the meeting that the teachers had demanded 70 per cent payment of their outstanding salaries and arrears.

According to him, all parties agreed to the request and set up a committee to address other lingering issues, with a two-week deadline to present recommendations.

On his part, the FCT NUT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafas, said the union would convene a meeting of its state wing executive council to deliberate on the outcomes of the meeting and decide on the next steps. (Saturday PUNCH)