Sunday, November 17, 2024
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Delta Primary School Teachers Kick, Face Discrepancies, Irregularities In Promotion Arrears Payment

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…SUBEB Don’t Pay Arrears, Salaries But Local Govt.- Mariere

 

By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Primary school teachers in Delta state have lamented the discrepancies and irregularities in the payment of their ongoing promotion arrears as they alleged corruption and lack of transparency in the process.
The teachers whose expectations were high after years of waiting for their arrears, have expressed pains and bitterness, stating that it is unfortunate that they are experiencing what they described as gross unfair treatment, intimidation and short changing with some receiving significantly less  in payment of the promotion arrears compared to other colleagues in the same grade level and promoted at the same time. 
The teachers said the lack of accountability and explanations for the discrepancies has added more pains to their frustration and disappointment, lamenting that if the process was transparent, they ought to have been told why some persons who are in same grade level will be paid higher while others are less paid.
Information gathered from 13 local governments councils so far indicated that majority of the teachers are bittered over the payment process.
They told our correspondent that; “Some of us were paid just N30,000 whereas others in the same grade level, promoted same time and employed same day were paid between N120,000 and some even N150,000. They are asking the offense of the primary school teachers and why they are always treated with scorn. 
“Again the new minimum wage of N70,000 was implemented for our counterparts in the Secondary Schools as well as others in the month of October, but the Primary School Teachers were excluded, why, they asked.
“Some of us in the primary school are Master’s Degree holders, some are evening running their Ph.D’s. It is unfortunate that whenever it concerns the wellbeing of the primary school teachers, they will do everything possible to sabotage and frustrate it. When they paid our Secondary school counterpart arrears, it was fully paid and nothing like screening here and there, despite all the screening, look at what they did”.
They are calling on the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, other relevant authorities, including SUBEB and the local government chairmen, to address these issues promptly and ensure that the teachers receive fair and accurate payments for their promotion arrears.
They advocated that transparency and accountability are crucial in restoring trust and confidence in the system and as well to encourage the foundation builders of the society.
Contacted, Hon. Samuel Mariere, said, “You know the honest truth is that SUBEB is not part of payment of arrears. 
“The  arrears was approved in JAAC  by the Governor and each of the 25 local government made their calculations and paid.
“SUBEB was not part of it at all, so you cannot be corrupt in what you are not part of. We are not part of the payment, it is basically the local government chairmen, and we are even saying that some of those things is wrong for a local government to pay. 
“Its suppose to be the duty of SUBEB to pay, to me am also not happy because I have also gotten the complaints. They have complain to me that they were short paid and we are looking at it as we have even told the Local Government Service Commission Chairman that the teachers are complaining, but we are part of the system, so it will be difficult for us to also complain, but it is normally the duty of SUBEB to pay salaries and arrears, but the local government chairmen have refused to remits the monies to SUBEB. So the money is with them, they are the ones illegally doing it probably wanting to short pay teachers”.
Hon. Mariere who was bittered that his name and board was been smeared further noted that the payment of the arrears to primary school teachers has nothing to do with SUBEB but basically between the local government and the local government service commission.
He said; “The one of promotion we don’t pay promotions but those who are qualified to be promoted are promoted. Since I came in we are not owing any promotion, but we promote as and when due and nobody bribes anybody to be promoted, and they are happy about their promotions”.
Mariere confirmed that it is the payment of arrears that is bringing issues but disclosed that it is not SUBEB, but stated that they are aware that there are complaints but are going to laid such complaints before the relevant bodies.
Meanwhile, Delta Activists, Zik Gbemre, has through a publication in another platform titled “TEACHERS PROMOTION ARREARS: DELTA SUBEB CESSPOOL OF CORRUPTION, NEEDS URGENT PROBE”, has accused SUBEB of the irregularities and discrepancies saying that; “For years Delta State Government has enjoyed impunity of refusal to settle accumulating entitlements of primary schools teachers in succession of promotions. Now that they deemed it necessary to release the arrears under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, dubious State Universal Basic Education SUBEB, is blatantly ripping off target beneficiaries”.
Hon. Mariere however disclosed that he has directed his lawyer to write Zik Gbemre to retract his publications within 24 hours or he will sue him for defamation of character, stating his board is not part of arrears payment. 

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