Parents are alarmed by the closure of primary schools across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) due to an ongoing strike by Local Education Authority (LEA) teachers.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) recently directed all primary school teachers to shut down schools after a 14-day ultimatum for the council chairmen to address their demands expired without response. Teachers are calling for the remaining 60% of 25 months of minimum wage arrears, along with other benefits, leaving many children at home and inactive.

Concerned parents like Mrs. Zainab Ibrahim shared their frustrations, noting that her four children are now idly playing instead of learning. She highlighted the difficulties of keeping them engaged while their father works outside Abuja, urging the FCT administration to intervene and resolve the dispute quickly.

Another parent, Usman Kabiru, criticized the council chairmen for their inaction, warning that prolonged school closures could have negative consequences for children, including potential engagement in undesirable activities. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has announced that non-teaching staff will join the strike in solidarity with teachers, amplifying the call for urgent attention to the situation.