BREAKING: Hardship: 21,000 teachers sacked by El-Rufai urge Gov Sani to pay entitlements

A forum representing teachers disengaged by the Kaduna State Government has urged Governor Uba Sani to ensure the prompt payment of their outstanding entitlements.

The affected teachers, dismissed in 2017 during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, lamented the hardships they have endured since their termination.

Addressing journalists at Arewa House on Tuesday, the Coordinator of the Kaduna State Illegally Disengaged Teachers Forum, Aminu Maitama, criticised the competency test that led to their dismissal, alleging that it was a strategy to downsize the state’s workforce rather than a genuine assessment of teaching abilities.

“We are witnessing how the former governor who sacked us is facing the consequences of his actions. It is unjust to treat teachers, who have played vital roles in the state’s educational sector, with such disregard,” Maitama stated.

During the mass dismissal, 21,000 out of 30,000 primary school teachers were removed from service after allegedly failing the competency test.

Maitama, however, argued that he scored 70 percent in the test, yet he was still dismissed, raising concerns about the fairness of the entire process.

“It is evident that El-Rufai’s administration prioritisd cutting salary costs over maintaining quality education. We appeal to our compassionate Governor, Uba Sani, to review our case and take necessary action,” he added.

The forum commended Governor Sani for approving the immediate release of N548 million to the Nigerian Union of Teachers’ Endwell scheme, a fund withheld by the previous administration.

They also requested that the state government consider conducting a fresh competency test to reassess their qualifications.