Teachers and management of Federal Science and Technical College, Uyo, AKwa Ibom State have resolved to settle differences bothering on minor misunderstanding that almost resulted in breakdown of law and order in the school.
Investigation revealed that the teachers accused the management of refusal to pay Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), approved by federal government to staffers in Unity Schools across the country.
It was gathered that the teachers also accused the management of admission racketeering, illegal levies and misappropriation of funds from IDEAS World Bank project for the school.
It was gathered that the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) waded into the matter to avoid disruption of academic activities .
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Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, , the chairman of SBMC in the college, Elder Simeon Umoette, said the committee decided to wade into all the allegations and address them properly to restore peace needed for learning .
Umoette said the committee comprises representatives of the State Ministry of Education, Divisional Police OFFICER (DPO)” C” Division Uyo, Chairman, Parents /Teachers’ Association (PTA), Association of Old Girls Association of the college and leaders of the host community
He said all the allegations were out of misunderstanding and lack of communication between teachers and the school management, stressing that the matter has been resolved.
Umoette claimed that all the allegations were false and misleading as the Federal Government has established standard procedures guiding administration and operations of all Unity Colleges nationwide.
” Admission into Federal Government Colleges are done with strict adherence to the criteria and guidelines as directed by the Federal Ministry of Education and not the Principal as alleged by the Teachers .
“Fees are paid through remittal system and nobody can defraud such a system which is strictly monitored. There are no illegal levies charged in the college besides the ones recommended by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
He further disclosed that teachers did not know that the IDEAS project for the college was awaiting execution as the World Bank has a standard in the implementation of their projects which cannot allow any form of fraud all over the world.
He said the main cause of friction between teachers and them was payment of DTA which has been paid to about 90 per cent of staff members.
” The union insisted that the DTA must be paid at the new rate approved by Federal Government. They didn’t know that even though the approval had been made, funds were not yet available. Management was waiting for funds to implement it .
” Meanwhile , the DTA has been paid at the old rate. Subsequent payments of the difference between the old and the new rate is subject to availability of funds.”
He therefore urged the general public to disregard reports from local tabloids in Akwa Ibom alleging frauds and other unfounded misdemeanors against the school management as peace has returned to the college .
Umoette said during the meeting of the SBMC, members passed a vote of confidence in the Director/Principal, Ms Dinah I. Gogo for all her efforts in attracting federal government presence to the school through a series of infrastructural development and staff capacity building.
He listed achievements of the principal to include academic excellence through the performance of pupils in WAEC, NECO and NABTEB examinations, upgrading of hostel facilities, World Bank project for the school and winning of prizes and laurels.
Umoette observed that the principal’s intolerance to indiscipline from both staffers and students such as lateness, truancy, irregular attendance in classes and other vices brought squabbles.
He appealed to parents and pupils to maintain discipline in all ramifications being the necessary ingredient for learning.