SSS sacks over 70 staff at schools after demand for better work conditions

Staff at the SSS’ primary and secondary schools in Abuja complain about poor treatment by the management.

At least 71 teaching staff of the Community Staff Schools in Abuja, run by the State Security Service (SSS), have been sacked after the workers demanded pay raise and better working condition.

Although run like private institutions, the primary and secondary schools, situated in Asokoro, are owned by the SSS.

In its memo dated November 2, 2020, the school management asked parents to allow the closure of the school for two weeks to enable the management ‘re-organise the school.’

However, NAIJA LIVE TV found that the school issued the notice after sacking all its teaching staff, – from headmaster and principal down to the laboratory attendants.

In one of the sack letters seen by this medium (dated November 2nd), issued to one of the teachers, the school wrote, “Due to the of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy vis-a-vis the crippling financial situation of the school. I am directed to convey the Director General, State Services (DGSS) Proprietor’s approval to disengage you from the services of the school with effect from 3rd November 2020.

“Meanwhile, you are expected to hand over all school properties in your custody…

“You may wish to contact your Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) for your benefits. The proprietor wishes you well in your future endeavours, please.”

Protest… further payment cut

Staff from the two levels of the school, on October 15, protested against repeated pay cut and called for better work conditions in line with how other civil servants in government-owned establishments are treated.

Their protests were suppressed by SSS operatives, who shot in the air while the schools were in session, to disperse the protesters, NAIJA LIVE TV learnt.

“Get back to the classrooms were all they said as they boxed us all (the protesting staff) to a corner,” one of the staff told this reporter.

Unlike staff from other government-owned establishments, the CSS for years has not been entitled to benefits despite several promises from the management.

Some of them, having worked for over 10 years as teachers in the school eventually got a pay raise. Five years ago, after a protest, their pay was further reduced after a month.

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