FCE Umunze lecturers begin 3 weeks warning strike

The Academic Staff Union of Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze in Anambra, has advised students to go home as the union begin a three-week warning strike.

Dr Churchill Okonkwo, Chairman of the union gave the advice on Friday in Umunze in an interview with journalists.

According to him, it is better for the students to go home to avoid idleness that may lead them to social ills, as no academic programme will hold within the period.

“We are concerned about our students safety and wellbeing due to the level of social unrest in the nation.

“We alert parents and guardians that their wards currently are not engaged in academic pursuit.

“We believe it is a bit harmful to leave students on campus to stay idle without any activity, and advise students not to be deceived that no strike is going in the school,” he said.

Okonkwo claimed that some members of the union were being coerced to supervise examinations which were fixed on Aug. 23, before the strike.

He gave details on why the academic staff chose to proceed on strike.

“The Duty Tour Allowance meant to be paid teachers to perform their core duties of research, community service and teaching have not been paid since 2018 till date.

“There is also the TETfund intervention in teaching practice, which helps to augment whatever the College gives for teaching practice supervision, the management has not accessed the fund since 2016 till date.

“Other welfare packages like degree honorarium is not paid as well. We have been patient for too long, yet this money is not paid every year,” he said.

Okonkwo claimed that all efforts to resolve the issues failed, including setting up a peace committee consisting of past Provosts to interface with the college management.

“We have remained unattended to from 2018 till date, and there is no communication between the union and the management for a way forward.

“That is why we decided to go on strike as a tool to make her act, all other means of dialogue has failed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sam Otti, the Public Relations Officer of the College, insisted that there was no strike and advised students to prepare well for their upcoming examinations. (NAN)