Teachers in The Gambia have commenced a nationwide strike over unpaid salaries for November, despite last-minute efforts by the government on Sunday to resolve the issue.

The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) rejected assurances from the government, accusing the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of showing “blatant disregard” for the welfare of teachers.

Schools across the country have been forced to shut down as teachers stand firm on their demand for salaries, rallying under the slogan, “No payment, no work”.

In a statement issued by the union, they criticised the government’s failure to address the delay in salary payments and other pressing concerns, including the non-disbursement of the School Improvement Grant to mission schools.

The GTU clarified: “since the release of a purported clarification from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs over the delay in the payment of November salaries to staff in board schools and the non-payment of the School Improvement Grant to mission schools, members of the Union have been asking the status of the strike set to take effect tomorrow, Monday.

“The Union wishes to categorically state that the strike, as published, will hold. Members in all Board Schools and Mission Schools are asked to stay home until there is an official communique from the Union calling off the strike.”

The strike has disrupted education nationwide, leaving students and parents frustrated and concerned about the impact on learning.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs regarding the delayed salaries and grants were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba