The coalition of academic staff of public universities says they will continue with their pay strike despite the order from the Minister of High education to resume their lectures.

The lecturers laid down their tools two weeks ago, demanding three months’ unpaid salaries and travel and medical allowances.

In response, the Minister of Higher Education and Technology, Dr Peter Adwok Nyaba wrote early this month to the vice chancellors of the five public universities, giving a directive to resume lectures.

Dr Adwok said disciplinary measures would be taken against those who refused to return to classes. But the lecturers have refused to end the strike.

In a meeting of the coalition in Juba on Monday, the academic staff resolved to continue with their strike.

“The strike should continue until all the demands are met,” said Philip Finish Apollo, leader.

Other members of the teaching staff held a similar meeting at the University of Bahr al-Ghazal yesterday.

Their representative, Apungy Kulang Tapiny, spoke to the press in Wau after the meeting.

“The letter of the minister is condemned; number two, the strike goes ahead; three, the minister must withdraw his letter; and number four, the minister has to apologize to academic staff for his letter,” Mr Tapiny told Eye Radio.

For his part, Dr Adowk said he was working on memo to be presented at the Council of Ministers to address the complaints of the lecturers and asked them to resume work.

Dr Adwok argued that he does not see a reason for the sit-down strike, saying it could be a civil disobedience.

“I cannot apologize; it is them to apologize for this,” Dr Adwok responded.  “If they continue with the strike, they will evict them from the University and get other people to come and teach.”

The institutions affected are the Universities of Juba, Bahr al-Ghazal, Rumbek, Upper Nile and the Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology.