Despite warning from Paul Biya, higher education teachers maintain strike
By Eratus Ndueh
The National Executive Bureau of the National Union of Higher Education Teachers, BEN-SYNES, has reinitiated nationwide strike action starting on January 22, 2024.
The information was revealed during BEN-SYNES’ extraordinary session held on January 21, 2024.
The central issue prompting this strike revolves around the delay of the payment of fourth installment research modernization allowance disbursed to all eligible state university teachers, a benefit established by president Paul Biya.
According to Prof. Wogaing Fotso Jeannette, Secretary General of SYNES, approximately 70% of eligible beneficiaries are yet to receive their due payment.
“Teachers of higher education expects the government to consider and prioritize their well-being, to enable them to smoothly carry on with their teaching and research assignments. In consequence, BEN-SYNES invite teachers from all state universities to continue to observe the strike order from Monday January 22, 2024 untill full payment of the special allowance is paid to all teachers,” said Prof. Bongka Vivian Tah, Deputy Communication Secretary of BEN-SYNES.
Also, Prof. Fotso called on all teachers affiliated with State Universities to be part of the protest, urging them to continue observing the strike order starting from Monday, January 22, 2024, at 7 a.m. The strike will persist until the full payment of the special benefits is made to all affected teachers.
On the side on the government, nothing has filtered yet. But according to a release signed by the Minister of state, Minister of higher education on January 16, 2024 after the recollection of funds by the ministry of finance, the special benefits demanded is being paid. And it has been the case for the past 15years.
