The Student Union of Juba, an umbrella organisation that brings together students in government-aided institutions, has encouraged the ministry of education to act quickly and resolve the issue of teacher wages.

Teachers in Central Equatoria State conducted a sit-down strike over unpaid salary arrears, prompting the call.

The teachers have been skipping classes since the beginning of the year due to non-payment of salaries, according to Samuel Peter, one of the students who went to the Central Equatoria State office requesting action.

“Teachers aren’t showing up for class; they’re stating that if they aren’t paid, they will not even bother to get into the class,” Peter explained. “That is valid, even a foolish man cannot enter the garden without a hoe,” he added.

Another student, Yusuf Angelo, a student from Nile Model, said they are tired of walking to school every day and not being attended to by their teachers.

“We are promised right now by the state minister of general education and instruction, we will wait, but if the schools are not be opened, then it is better for all the students in the country not to go to school.  Right now private schools are being taught, yet we are out. We want the other schools to also be closed because we are all going to sit for the same exams,” Angelo said.

All outstanding salary arrears and allowances for teachers should be paid.

“Quality education is required for a quality future. Teachers have been out of the classroom for 32 days,’’ Angelo said.

Teachers are pushing for chalk allowance, a home allowance, and nature of work allowance, according to Santino Riek Machar, a secondary school teacher who claimed they are tired of hollow promises. He earns a monthly salary of SSP2,940.

Santino revealed that teachers have sought in vain to gain the attention of state governments to listen to their situation.

“It is not our wish for the students to go without education, we told the government that we need our salaries but there is no concrete response,” Machar emphasised.

Santino has vowed that the teachers are not ready to go back to class unless their salaries are paid.

“We shall sit under the tree every day. We shall not touch any chalk. The students will teach themselves until we receive our money.”

He wondered what type of nationalism the government expected of the teachers.

“We have been patient for a long time. We have told them enough is enough, [if] they want to destroy education; it is up to them. We have done our part, we have certificates, and we can go. “

The ongoing strike is affecting the academic calendar, and the teachers are worried that their strike will affect student performance.

“It pains us when we see our students sitting outside. It’s not our wish, but we are forced to go on strike.”

Some teachers say they have even lost trust in the ministry of education due to empty promises.