Jonglei teachers demand three-month salary, issue 72 hours ultimatum

By Riak Chol

Jonglei State Teachers’ Union gave the national Ministry of Finance a 72-hour ultimatum to clear their three-month salary arrears on Monday.

The professional organization advocating for teachers’ rights said the other government institutions received their three months salaries, while the teachers in the state failed to receive their share.

In a statement signed by John Deng Ajith, the interim chairperson of Jonglei State Teachers’ Union said: “It has come to Jonglei State Teachers’ Union knowledge and everybody that teachers have not been paid for December 2023, January, and February 2024.”

“While other institutions have already received their payments, teachers are yet to receive their share, let alone the other pending eleven months equivalent to a year,” Deng explained.

He said the delay in the teachers’ salaries has created hardship for the teachers and their families.

“Delay in payment has caused significant financial hardship for the teachers and their families, and JSTU urges you Hon. Minister for the Ministry of Finance and Planning  to take immediate action to address unpaid salary arrears,” Deng said.

He vowed that the teachers would boycott classes as schools are set to open next month.

“Schools in the country are set to open on February 3, 2025, and teachers have notified Jonglei State Teachers’ Union office that they will remain boycotting schools until the ministry pays teachers’ salary arrears,” he said.

He said the teachers must be paid promptly to ensure they can fulfill their duties and provide excellent quality education to learners.

The union leaders gave the ministry 72 hours to respond to their request or they will go on strike.

“Union respectfully requests national Ministry of Finance and Planning Hon. Dongrin to immediately release the three months’ salary arrears for the teachers as soon as possible to avert a strike in 72 hours,” said Deng.