![South Sudan's map featuring Jonglei state in red. [Photo via Wikipedia]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Jonglei_in_South_Sudan.svg.png?resize=1024%2C743&quality=80&ssl=1)
In a statement signed by John Deng Ajith, the interim chairperson of the union, teachers expressed frustration over the delay, pointing out that other government institutions have already received their payments while teachers remain unpaid.
“It has come to Jonglei State Teachers’ Union’s knowledge & everybody that teachers have not been paid for the months of December 2023, January, and February 2024, while other institutions have already received their payments leave alone eleven other months equivalent to a year,” Deng said.
He emphasized that the delay in payments has caused financial hardship for teachers and their families.
“Delay in payment has caused significant financial hardship for the teachers and their families, and JSTU urges you Hon. Minister for the Ministry of Finance & Planning National ministry of finance and planning and entire ministry of finance and planning to take immediate action to address unpaid salary arrears,” Deng said.
Deng added that teachers will continue to boycott classes unless the arrears are paid before schools reopen on February 3, 2025.
“Schools in the country are set to open on February 3, 2025 and teachers have notified Jonglei State Teachers’ Union office that they will remain boycotting schools until ministry pays Teachers’ salary arrears and it is crucial that teachers are paid in a timely manner to ensure that they can fulfill their duties and provide excellent quality education to learners,” Deng said.
The union issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the ministry, warning of a strike if their grievances are not addressed.
“Union respectfully requests National Ministry of Finance & Planning Hon. Minister Dongrin to immediately release the three months’ salary arrears for the teachers as soon as possible, in order to avert a strike after 72 hrs.,” Deng said.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has yet to comment on the matter.
