President Kiir to discuss university salary arrears with Vice Chancellors

47

By Matik Kueth

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to meet with the university Vice Chancellors to discuss and resolve the pressing issues regarding lecturers’ salaries.

This comes after President Kiir was briefed on Monday by Hussein Abdel-Bagi, Vice President for Service Cluster, on the main difficulties impeding the nation’s service cluster docket, including those related to health and education.

Abdel-Bagi disclosed during the meeting that Kiir would call an important meeting with the Vice-Chancellors of the universities to address and settle the urgent teacher pay issues.

He emphasized the importance of supporting the Tumaini Initiative, which seeks to promote cooperation across different political factions to strengthen the nation’s efforts at sustainable peace and development.

However, Abdel-Bagi also gave the president an update on the overall political climate, stressing the value of national unity in resolving political disputes and fostering stability throughout the nation.

The president’s decision to meet with the Vice-Chancellors of the universities followed a two-week strike by lecturers at various institutions, including Bhar El Ghazal and Rumbek, demanding 11 months’ worth of salary arrears.

Students have been impacted by the disruption of the academic calendar caused by the strike, as university lecturers continue to call on the government to resolve their complaints regarding their unpaid salaries.