SW House of Chiefs President urges striking teachers to return to class

The President of the South West House of Chiefs, Chief Dr Atem Ebako, has urged teachers on strike for a fourth consecutive week, to return to class.

The South West House of Chiefs President made the appeal in an outing published in the state-owned newspaper Cameroon Tribune. He was reacting to measures ordered by the Head of State, Paul Biya to address concerns of the teachers.

According to Chief Dr Atem Ebako, the teachers should await the payment of money owed them in line with the Presidential directives. The president’s response, the politician cum traditional ruler said, was quick and effective.

“These teachers are professionals. So they have to go back to class and teach the children,” he pressed, noting that the teachers are “aware of their responsibility”.

Going by Chief Dr Atem Ebako, “the Head of State has reacted as somebody who is in charge of all patrimony in this country”.

In the same light, the Bamenda City Mayor, Pau l Achobong in a reaction published in the same newspaper on the issue said, the president’s response “is a wonderful gesture”.

“The instructions of the President of Republic simply indicates that he is a father and listens to the problems of his citizens…”

Conversely, the protesting teachers have denied heeding these appeals and those of other state officials. Government, thy insist, should meet their demands before classes can resume.

Among their demands that have grounded classes for four weeks are; the immediate payment of 181 billion FCFA owed teachers in salary arrears, advancement, family allowances and other bonuses.