After spectacular performance in the SSCSE, Jonglei teachers go on state-wide strike
By Mach Samuel Peter, Bor, Jonglei State
October 7, 2016 (SSB) —- The teachers of both primary and secondary schools in Jonglei state have laid down their tools demanding the government to fulfill their long list of grievances on Friday.
In a Petition letter addressed to the governor of Jonglei state copied to Rt. Honorable speaker, ministers, directorate of secondary and primary education signed by 11 representative of the teachers, the staff are demanding that salary increment be effective in February 2016 salary and paid in arrears, permanent appointment, promotion of teachers who have been in one grade for 15 years and over, payment of phase two and phase three effective 25th July 2016 salaries and inclusion of both cost of living and computer allowances.
The teachers’ general assembly said in a letter that the phenomena of education sector in Jonglei State cannot be compared to the other states in the republic of South Sudan despite teachers’ commitment as seen in their students who lead the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education and Jonglei State Certificate of Primary Education.
South Sudan national ministry of labour, public service and human resource development office of the undersecretary of Public service and human resources development addressed a letter to the first undersecretary of the South Sudan national ministry of finance and economic planning tabling the approve multiplied, designed new salary structure and average costing sheet based on the three phases.
The letter revealed that 2016/2017 average costing sheet for the unified new pay scales of the civil service employees of the republic of South Sudan in South Sudanese pounds with effect from first February 2016, it increases the salary of grade 17 teachers to 979 SSP and 1776 SSP for common grade 12 teachers who are being paid 600 SSP instead.
The circular also increase super grade salary from 1663 to 10,650 SSP.
It is worth noting that the national ministry of labour, public service and human resource development had incorporated in the structure the special leadership grade contained in the approved civil service act, 2011 that came into law upon the signature of the president of the government of Southern Sudan on 7th July 2011. It ensures that provisions are approved civil service act, 2011 are uniformly applied without exception.
“Based on the above suffering and endurance all along, Jonglei state teachers general assembly have sat and resolved to lay down their tools simply because teachers have been working for the government that does not appreciate the services rendered by teachers since formation of the government, no promotion, salary increment and other related allowances like cost of living allowance and computer based on the stated grievances,” The petition reads.
“Your excellence a bag of charcoal is 400 SSP leave alone other commodities in the market. This phenomenon was addressed by cabinet reviewing the salary structures and sent the circular No. 1/2016 authorizing all government institutions to implement the policy as approved by the president of the republic of South Sudan with effect from 1/February 2016 starting from grade 10-17. This move was not implemented due to some reasons not known to us,” the petition reads.
“Again on 25/07/2016, phase two and phase three were approved effective from August salary on circular RSS/MLPS/HRD/USO/J/20.A.1/1 authorizing the adjustment of managers’ salaries in the ministries but have not been effective as scheduled,” It continues.
The teachers of both primary and secondary schools have laid down their tools until the following are met: salary increment effective in 2/2016 and paid in arrears, permanent appointment letters, promotion of teachers who have been in one grade for 15 years and over, payment of phase two and phase three effective 25 July 2016 salaries and inclusion of both cost of living and computer allowances.
Teachers of both primary and especially for secondary schools must be applauded for their unwavering commitment that put Jonglei state on top of the list for best student of the year 2016 across the republic of South Sudan. Jonglei State teachers are paid 600 SSP and less for grade 17 as budgeted by National government, the teachers strike is a wake-up call to the national ministry of finance to triple the salary of teachers to meet the 600% inflation rate, otherwise the children might not sit for the final examinations.
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