Western Equatoria governor reassures teachers about arrears of salary
By Richard Ruati
July 3, 2009 (YAMBIO) – The Governor of the agricultural rich state of Western Equatoria (WES) has assured secondary and primary schools teachers in the state that, arrears of the 25% deduction of the teachers’ salary since last year has been approved.
“And it will depend on how faster the GOSS Ministry of Finance will release it for all the ten states of the Southern Sudan,” she added.
Governor Jemma Nunu Kumba appealed to teachers to “remain calm and continue teaching,” adding that, “since the strike coincided with holidays and now that the schools have started, […] therefore urge the teachers to resume their duties, we cannot let our teachers suffer when the resources are available.”
Kumba revealed that, “the teachers’ salary for April came like usual at 80%, [but] the teachers totally refused to receive it. Adding that, the State Ministry of Education is a line Ministry which falls under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which deals directly with teachers’ salary.”
But as patience is now appearing to wear out, many teachers across the state have already stopped working, apparently in an effort to, find other jobs to supplement their meager civil servants income.
She further said, “The two months’ salary for teachers is already in the state, and that teachers should receive it while the State Government is trying with the GOSS to see what can be done to them.” She also argued that, “Even some States are paying 65% to their teachers but [we] have tried [our] best to at least pay them 80% which [we] have topped it from [our] state resources in order for them to continue teaching, and soon their problems will be solved”.
The governor made these remarks at Yambio airstrip before boarding an aircraft bound for Juba to revise the budget for the next year’s CPA celebration in Yambio before it is given to the Council of Ministers for approval.
However, almost two months after a potentially crippling teachers strike was being averted, teachers once again on are renewing their threat to down tools over low salaries.
Many disgruntled teachers in WES acknowledge that, “their wage demands could not be met.”
(ST)
Ambago
Western Equatoria governor reassures teachers about arrears of salary
The people of south Sudan are currently running out of patience and this is even more so in the remote agricultural state of western Equatoria. The issue of non payment of salaries to the various government staffs is nothing, but a gross mismanagement of which the state government is directly accountable.
If these teachers who are currently on strike are really government employees, then I don’t see the logic behind the governor’s insistence that they should continue to work as usual when the government is not honouring its side of the contract as it still fails to keep the promised priority by non payment of the teachers’ salaries.
If we want to run the country on voluntary basis, then the GOSS should be clear on this. Otherwise it seems that the old Sudanese culture of under rating teachers and the entire teaching profession is still the official position.
No salaries no teachers and this simple equation should sink well into the minds of those running the scene in the state as well as the counties. If people have to resort to any manual jobs that pay well and enable them to better cater for their families, then they better do so . And this judgement shouldn’t be seen as a betrayal, because if there is any betrayal then it is the fat GoSS and its wrong choices in the states who are betraying the masses.
All these deeply felt grievances must reflect clearly in people’s votes in the coming 2010 elections. It is time that people wake up and critically analyse the situation.
The south Sudanese masses should understand that south Sudan is one of the potentially richest parts of the world.
What we are suffering now is nothing but gross mismanagement of resources . Our governments at the different levels have failed to generate the badly needed revenues and the Oil money is being eaten up by the greedy handfuls.
It was not too long that we read this news, “June 2, 2009 (YAMBIO) — Western Equatoria County Court Finance Officer, Mr. John Shadrak Tai has been detained in Yambio prison on suspicion of having embezzled thirty three thousand Sudanese pounds (33,000SDG) of the County Court’s operations reportedly was being kept in the culprit house, pending transfer and deposit to GOSS.”
Yet people are continuously being requested to be patient and continue to serve the state without being paid on schedule.
Our citizens must stop being naïve. It is now there time to stand strong and face all kinds of injustice by maintaining their self dignity. You have the right to your pay as you have the right to your jobs. If the government of the day doesn’t honour its part of the contract, it can go while the people remain and their grievances must be addressed under a new setting.
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Tom Zart
Western Equatoria governor reassures teachers about arrears of salary
TEACHERS
Tolerant, supportive and sympathetic teachers are the best
While most seem ideal, some shouldn’t teach at all.
Great teachers find their work fruitful and rewarding
As they pass on their knowledge with love as their call.
Good physical and mental health are important
For teachers must have energy, stamina and determination.
To shoulder their duties as shepherds of thought
Passing on wisdom to each generation.
In the words of Henry Adams, “ Teachers affect eternity
You can never tell where their influence will cease.”
As the teachers of the Bible spread their message
Their students learned of war, faith, love, death and peace.
Teachers world over have the same basic goal
To help others mature, reason, accomplish and grow.
They instruct, inform, debate and discipline
Teaching the rudiments of life we should know.
By Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
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