Map of Lakes State. (File photo).

Four teachers from Rumbek in Lakes state are considering filing a lawsuit against officials at the state ministry of education for what they described as unprocedural termination. 

Alfred Ater Ariua, the Inspector for Gender Equality and Inclusive Education alongside his colleagues Emmanuel Mapuor Mabor, Ater Samuel Ahuo, and Ruben Majak Nhial was acquitted by the state court two weeks ago.

They were accused of inciting teachers to reject salary payments in protest against unpaid arrears since last year.

But the court found them not guilty after spending two months in jail.

However, on Monday, General Education Minister Nelson Makoi Makur terminated their service, citing they committed gross misconduct.

Their firing was recommended by the Ministry’s Director General, James Marer Aluel.

On Monday, one of the dismissed teachers, Emmanuel Mapuor Mabor, rejected the order, describing it as unprocedural and a violation of the country’s interim constitution.

According to Mapour, the court had given the minister 14 days to make an appeal, but the time elapsed without the education official taking any steps.

Based on this ground, Mapour says, they will in two weeks’ time open a defamation case against the minister, the director general, and another official.

They will also demand compensation for their time in jail and 15-month unpaid arrears for the past financial years, among others.

“On the 25th of this month, we are opening a case against them [state ministry of education] for the following three things; number one, compensation for the time we spent due to the unlawful detention for the defamation that we are rebels and criminals. We also ask for 15-month arrears for the fiscal year, 2021 to 2022,” Mapour explained.

“When he [the director general] learned that we want to pursue him over these issues, he decided to terminate us which is a crash program and a total violation of the constitution.”

The teachers have called for the lifting of the officials’ immunity to stand trial for the alleged violations.