John Garang students’ request for ‘leave-with-pay’ goes unchecked
By Philip Thon Aleu
May 24, 2008 (BOR, Jonglei) – To net brains and bags; as demanded by John Garang students in February has resulted into unpredictable future, leaving others smiling and some disappointed, students at the Institute told Sudan Tribune on Saturday May 24.
State government’s position is unclear since some students are benefiting, other falling and yet non ex-employees have no pocket money.
A half-handful of students may benefit from the request – to allow ‘leave-with-pay’ to former employees delivered to Governor Kuol Manyang in February 2008, and half-handful unlikely. In a letter, entitled ‘termination letter to former teachers,’ sent to x-teachers of Bor County, is stressed that there will be no ‘leave-with-pay’ or ‘leave-without-pay’ thus confirmed exit from work.
“Since you have been admitted to university… it is illegal to serve two masters at the same time,” the letter, signed by Bor County director of Education Agol Mayen read in parts adding “otherwise, thank you for your excellent work.” The letter considers seventeen x-teachers ineligible for April salary.
In persuading a reverse to the director’s decision, the former teachers reject the termination letter citing beyond director’s concern.
“What is special with Bor County that our salary is being detained when other ministries have implemented the ‘leave-with-pay’ as passed by the State government,” a letter addressed to state ministry of education – also seen by Sudan Tribune read in parts. The students accused county director of being bias and impatient. “Why does the education director back date the letter to April 1 when we received it on April 25?” the students wondered in a struggle to release April salary which the termination letter block.
The education director, in defend, says schools need teachers who also need to be paid. “Where do we get salary for the newly recruited teachers?” Agol Mayen is said to have asked x-teachers at his office, a question difficult to answer.
The claim that Jonglei government has approved ‘leave-with-pay’ in the council of ministers is unclear. But a section of students, who continuously received monthly salary and facing no threats, believe the State has given a green-leaf to higher students. “Our ministry has no problem,” a student (x-state ministry of information and communication) who requested anonymity told Sudan Tribune at the campus Saturday.
Over 60% of Jonglei students at the Institute are x-employees with the State government. Most of them served at the state ministry of education. This has made leave-with-pay difficult since teach-on-leave may not work as well. However, the x-employees have been receiving their salary since the Institute commenced four months ago without official recommendation from the government.
It is feared other ‘affiliations’ may follow the leave-with-pay, the students argued. Some students are close to senior government officials and may be tempted to use their association for better side of the system.
POCKET MONEY
A section of students completed higher school in 2007 and joined Garang Institute in February 2008. Majority of who never established ‘roots’ in the town to get jobs. The students aver that state authorities are dealing with former workers and drop their request. “Not all students worked with the state government and our request need to answer too,” a section of top news article on the Institute press – GARANG DAILY of May 18, 2008 read in part.
In that day’s news, the students argued governments (GoSS and Jonglei) to intervene and consider them as part of other southern Sudan Universities. “It is time our leaders respond because there will be time they will need our help,” guild minister of information said adding that “we need pocket money like Juba students.”
(ST)