DSS shuts school, sacks 140 teachers over request for better welfare
For demanding better condition of service and regularization of their appointment, the Department of State Services (DSS) has sacked 140 teachers and other staff members of its Community Staff School, Asokoro, Abuja.
The service also shut down the institution and directed the 1,800 pupils in the nursery/primary and secondary classes to stay at home for two weeks.
Findings indicate that the primary school commenced pupil enrollment in 1992/93, while the secondary classes took off in 1998.
Trouble began when the teachers demanded the regularization of their appointment and an increase in their salaries and other emoluments, following increase in the school tuition.
In response, the authorities issued a letter of disengagement to the workers including the Principal and other administrative officials.
Before the face off, the fee for nursery and primary classes was increased from N25,000 to N35,000 for children and wards of the rank and file, while children of senior DSS officers were required to pay N45,000 up from N35,000 per term.
For children of civilians, the tuition was increased from N45,000 to N60,000.
The tuition for secondary school classes was increased from N35,000 to N45,000 for children and wards of the rank and file, while officers’ children were asked to pay N60,000 up from N40,000. Students who did not fall in either of the categories will pay N90,000 from N70,000. Other sundry charges were also said to have been increased.
A worker in the school, who pleaded not to be named, accused the management of denying the staff their full benefits, adding that the workers were being paid half salaries despite the hike in the school fees.