Disquiet as Anambra teachers allege fraudulent deduction in salaries

From Ifeoma Ejiofor

There is disquiet among teachers in Anambra State who alleged that their take-home pay is being fraudulently fiddled with by certain officials.

Some of the teachers who spoke with our correspondent in Ekwusigo Local Goverment Area of the state pointed out that the problem actually started in November last year.

They claimed that the matter was reported to the F.O in the council area who promised to look into their grievances.

The FO allegedly directed the teachers to Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) office in Government House, Awka.

The official according to the teachers demanded one thousand and five hundred Naira to rectify the issue, which they claimed has not seen the light of the day.

“Some of us were recruited into the teaching service commission in 2013 and have risen to level 9 with sixty thousand Naira as salaries but our take home rotate between fifty one and forty eight thousand Naira.

“Apart from that, we have worked so hard to reposition the public schools in Ekwusigo Local Goverment Area of Anambra State and deserve better treatment. It’s really unfortunate that inspite of all our efforts, we would still be underpaid.

“We had it on good note that teachers in other Local Goverment Areas are getting increments, why would are case be different?”

They are also aggrieved that the teachers recently employed by Prof Charles Soludo who are on level 7 earn better salaries.

“When we were employed in 2013, all us were recognized on our NCE qualifications but under the new dispensation, the newly employed teachers were placed on level 8 and earn bigger salaries. There is urgent need to harmonize the salary scale.” The insisted.

The Transition Committee (TC) Chairman of Ekwusigo Local Goverment Area, Hon Chimezie Obi when contacted for comment expressed shock that the teachers were being extorted.

He demanded that the affected teachers should report to his office immediately even as he assured that he would look into the matter to ensure that culprits are brought to book.