By Omoghene Benedict
The Association of Secondary Schools Classroom Teachers, (ASSCT) in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta state has thrown its support for the Nigeria Union of Teacher of the state following the alleged deduction of five hundred naira, N500 from teachers’ salaries by Academic Staff Union of Secondary School, ASUSS.
In a statement signed by the chairman, Comr. Ojarikre Felix, Secretary Comr. Kako Kelly and the Public Relation Officer, Comr. Ifeta L.A and made available to the Pointer stated that not all secondary school teachers in Delta state are members of ASUSS as a group and as such cannot speak for NUT in Delta state.
According to the statement, “ASUSS has been forcefully and illegally extorting unaccountable sum of five hundred naira (N500) quarterly from all Secondary Schools Teachers without their consent especially in Ughelli North and we are calling on the leadership of ASUSS in Delta state without delay.
“The Delta State Teacher Social Security Investment Scheme, (DSTSSIS) was initiated by the state wing of the NUT as a retirement saving scheme for all teachers of Delta state and the scheme has been successful and commendable by all retired teachers before the advent of ASUSS.
“The leadership of DSTSSIS as a board was elected from both Primary and Secondary schools in the state and are very prudent in the management of funds and siting of profits orientated projects across the three senatorial districts of the state as verified by the prompt payment of retirees and saving teachers from perpetual debt in the state.
“Teachers who are subscribers are aware that the account of DSTSSIS are audited annually and that the audited financial statement can be accessed on request and Secondary Teachers in Ughelli North have never complained because they are very comfortable with the leadership of the scheme.
The statement further stated that, “Even when Secondary schools teachers in Delta state were lured by ASUSS to withdraw from it as a result of an increment in DTSSIS subscriptions, all teachers voluntarily returned back to the scheme having seen the benefits accruing to the benefactors at retirement and as such, it causes the deduction of N9,000 from secondary schools teachers for three years in other to meet up with their primary schools counterparts.
“Members of the Association of Secondary School Classroom Teachers are part and parcel of the decision of the Nigeria Union of Teacher, (NUT) Delta wing 2019 mini delegates conference held on Tuesday 16th July on the increment of DSTSSIS subscription from N2,000 to N5,000 with effect from when the minimum wage is implemented”.
While pledging their unalloyed support for comrade Okotie Titus led Delta state wing executive council as implemented by the Siakpere Pedro led exco in Ughelli North branch executive council of the NUT, the group disassociate itself from the splinter group of ASUSS led by Comrade Okoh.
