Gambiaj.com – (KANIFING) – The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) has called off its sit-down strike following the government’s resolution of delayed November salaries for grant-aided schools and the disbursement of the first-term School Improvement Grant (SIG) for mission schools. The payments, which sparked industrial action, were finalized on Monday at 4:30 p.m., December 2, 2024.

The GTU announced that teachers in the affected schools are to resume work on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The resolution follows a period of intense pressure from the union, which had cited the financial strain on teachers and disruptions to schools caused by the delayed payments.

“The industrial action was an unavoidable response to the government’s repeated failure to honor its commitments, inflicting undue financial hardships on teachers and adversely impacting schools,” stated Essa Sowe, Deputy General Secretary of the GTU.

The union’s leadership expressed gratitude to its members for their solidarity during the strike, emphasizing that the collective action was crucial in securing the payments.

Discussions to prevent future occurrences are now underway, facilitated by the Office of the Vice President. These engagements involve key stakeholders, including the GTU, with the aim of developing sustainable solutions to recurring financial issues affecting grant-aided schools.

The GTU’s statement highlighted the importance of respecting teachers’ rights and ensuring timely fulfillment of obligations to avoid further disruptions.

This swift resolution underscores the impact of collective action in advocating for teachers’ welfare and the broader education sector’s stability.