Teachers in The Gambia have ended their strike after the government paid the overdue November salaries and School Improvement Grant (SIG) for mission schools.

The action, which lasted for several days, was sparked by the government’s failure to disburse these critical payments on time.

The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) announced that the outstanding November 2024 salaries for grant-aided and secondary schools, as well as the SIG for mission schools, were paid by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024.

As a result, the Union has instructed all affected teachers to resume their duties on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

“This strike was not our preferred course of action, but the government’s consistent failure to meet its obligations left us with no other choice. The financial strain on teachers, coupled with the disruption to school activities, was becoming unsustainable,” Essa Sowe, the Deputy General Secretary of the GTU said.

“However, we are pleased that the government has now fulfilled its commitments, and we are confident that this issue will be avoided in the future.”

The strike, which primarily affected teachers in grant-aided and mission schools, was a direct response to the delayed payments, which the Union argued were causing undue hardship for educators across the country.

In a statement, the GTU also expressed gratitude to teachers for their resilience and unity during the protest.

“We thank all our members for their strong solidarity. Their commitment to this cause has been crucial in bringing about a resolution. This episode highlights the importance of teachers being treated with the respect they deserve.”

By Adama Makasuba