Anglophone Crisis:

UB teachers suspends sit-in strike 

- Present five-point memorandum to government

- Immediate Release of arrested leaders such as Dr. FontemNeba and Barrister Felix AgborBala

- Proper implementation of the resolutions of the Ad Hoc committee

- Reinstating the internet in NW and SW

- Demilitarizing the Academic Milieux

- Readjusting the Academic Calendar to catch up for lost time

By Boris Esono in Buea

President and VP of SYNES UB talking to the press

After four months since Anglophone University teachers called for a sit-in strike action to decry the ill-treatments they experience, officials of the UB chapter of the National Teachers Trade Union Known by its French acronym SYNES-UB Chapter through its leader, Prof James ArreyAbangma, has Friday March 24, 2017 issued a statement suspending the strike. He read the decision to reporters during a press conference he called jointly with his deputy, Dr. Martin Sango Ndeh.

                According to the two officials, they are suspending the strike action in order to give the government adequate time to fully implement the resolutions of the inter-ministerial Adhoc Committee, some of which have already been put in place.

                To SYNES-UB president, Prof. James Abangma: "the suspension of the strike is an anniversary gift to the CPDM government and it is hoped that the government will intend grant their own wishes by releasing their detained brothers, colleagues and all the students arrested in the course of the struggle.

                Abangma noted that the suspension of the strike is coming under extraordinary circumstances, especially as the government has made sustained efforts to solve the ongoing unrest without success.

                On his part, Dr. Martin Sango opined that: "the strike action was an industrial sit down strike with no violence attached to it; but some persons later entered the struggle with their own political agenda.” He added that “the strike action was informed by purely technical and professional concerns; federalism only came in due to the need to sustain the strike.” 

Quizzed on how long the suspension will last, Prof. Abangma said: "it will depend on how the government reacts to the demands put before them.”

                Responding to the validity of certificates acquired this year, Dr. Nsangu said that "13 weeks of effective learning is needed for the validity of certificates. And so, if the administration can effectively organize classes for 13 hours daily, there is no reason why the certificates acquired this year cannot be considered as valid and authentic."

                He added that: "trade unions do not call off strike action but suspend it as they might come back to that same issue some time and if they deem it necessary. SYNES-UB has always and will continue to stand for non-violence. We have a duty to guide and protect the young ones whose future as leaders of tomorrow looks bleak at the moment".

                 On the issue of his security, Prof. Abangma said: "I am not afraid of arrest. I sympathize with my arrested brethren, reason why I am still in the country. I have received calls from colleagues out of the country and former students saying I should come abroad and they will take care of my expenditure. But I chose to stay because I know my imprisoned colleagues need me, just as I might need them if I was the one arrested".

                It should be recalled that the teachers strike action started on November 21, 2016 with teachers putting forth several grievances to be addressed by the government. Some of which include, the poor mastery of English language by francophone teachers posted to English schools, poor mastery of subject matter, acute shortage of teachers in basic and secondary schools, low subvention to lay private and confessional schools, high taxes in education and harmonization of university programs.