By Taye Obateru

Jos – Teachers in Plateau State have suspended their over four-month-old strike to press home their demand for the implementation of the 17.5 per cent Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) and other issues.

Sources said the truce that led to the suspension of the strike was brokered by the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba.

Leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for primary school teachers and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools announced the suspension of the strike, weekend, after the final agreement was signed with government representatives.

Although the state government agreed to implement the new TSS, it would be paid to only qualified teachers while unqualified teachers who a recent audit showed were about 6,000 would be relieved of their appointments.

“The 27.5 per cent enhanced salary structure for teachers is to be paid to only qualified teachers. Grade two teachers who are currently enrolled for further studies would be paid 12.5 per cent after verification to confirm admission letter/approval to undertake the course of study.

“All unqualified teachers are to be relieved of their appointments. Effective date of the implementation of the TSS is October 1, 2009 and that the arrears of the TSS would be paid with effect from July 2009; but payment would be spread from April 2010; and the unpaid salaries from July-September 2009 would be paid immediately,” the agreement stated.