Ismaila S. Ceesay, president of the Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU)
By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) has announced a sit-down strike for all teachers in Grant-Aided Schools, effective Monday, December 2, 2024, due to the non-payment of November salaries for the SSS Board Schools and the School Improvement Grant (SIG) for Mission Schools by the government.
“The Gambia Teachers’ Union calls on all teachers in Grant-Aided Schools to put their tools down beginning Monday, 2″* December 2024 until further notice. The strike action is necessitated by the non-payment of November Salaries for the SSS Board Schools and the SIG for Mission Schools by the Government. Despite the Union’s repeated efforts to address this issue through dialogue and negotiation, the Government failed to honor its commitment, causing significant distress and financial hardship to members of the Union and the affected schools,” GTU said.
GTU President, Ismaila S. Ceesay, condemned the government’s actions, calling the strike an urgent and necessary response to what he described as the Ministry of Finance’s “blatant disregard for the livelihoods of teachers and support staff in the affected schools.”
The Union also reminded the government of its responsibility to ensure timely salary payments and SIG distribution, not only for government-run schools but also for Grant-Aided Schools, in accordance with the Unified Teaching Service Act.
“Failure to meet these obligations by closure of work on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, the Union would have no choice but to extend its action to all (other) categories and levels of schools across the country in solidarity with the affected group,” the Union said.
The Gambia Teachers’ Union expressed its awareness of the frustration among its members, particularly those directly affected, and the potential disruption to the quality of education caused by the non-payment of SIG.
“However, the Union remains committed to addressing the plight of the membership and renews its resolve to holding the Government accountable for its commitments and will not tolerate such precedents in 2025 or any subsequent year. The Union urges all members to stand in solidarity during this industrial action and remain vigilant in upholding their rights and demands for fair treatment. Together, we can ensure that the voices of educators are heard, and our concerns addressed without further delay,” they concluded.