The state Minister of Education in Jonglei has dismissed 11 primary and secondary school teachers over a pay strike staged last month, the teachers’ committee has said.

In October, teachers in the state requested the ministry to adopt a circular on new salary increment, promotions, allowances and permanent appointment. However, the disagreement that ensued led to the declaration of the strike.

The secretary of the striking teacher’s committee, Gai Chau, told Eye Radio that they received a letter of termination last weekend.

“What we were asking for was the grant that was offered by the central government and our salaries, but she [Education Minister] resorted to [firing] of the teachers for reason that we could not explain,” Mr Chau said.

“Maybe she is accusing us of asking her office to release that pay.”

For her part, the State Minister of Education, Susan Lith Aluong, said she suspended the teacher because they did not comply with their rules and regulations.

“They did not follow the law,” Susan Lith said.

“Secondly, the body is not a registered body although they called themselves ‘teachers’ assembly’. They are illegal.”

Among those sacked two were secondary school teachers; while the rest were teaching in various primary schools in Jonglei.

Recently, some teachers were fired by the ministry for allegedly organizing the pay strike.