Lakes State, South Sudan
March 18, 2022 — The academic staff at the Rumbek University of Science and Technology (RUST) are breaking their long silence by organizing strikes over nonpayment of their salary arrears which have not been paid for more than six months.
In a statement extended to Nyamilepedia on Tuesday, the academic registrar and chairman of RUST’s academic staff association, Mathew Malou, said that their peaceful strike aims to demand payment of six months’ salary arrears from the government.
He said they are left with a short period of time to finalize the semester; however, they have decided to shut off all activities at the University immediately until their six-month salary arrears has been paid.
“Everything has ceased, no lectures and other normal activities are going on until the general assembly sits down again to review the open strike demanding payment of six months’ salaries and decide what to do because we are left a semester and our lectures are supposed to end on the 7 April before students begin their examinations,” Malou told media on Thursday.
Malou reiterates that the lack of payment of teachers salaries is slowing down their motivation to perform their duties at their best capacity and if paid on time, they would ensure that quality education is delivered, adding that paying salaries on time will shift focus from teachers’ immediate needs to other developmental projects.
“Our appeal is that the higher education ministry intervenes because we are here to deliver quality education. We want the government to clear the six months arrears and we talk about other developmental projects and not issues of arrears every time,” he added.
Marual Makoi Malith, a student in the department of rural development said since the “open” strike began on Tuesday, lectures, tests, and assignments have called-off.
“We are supposed to end our lectures, tests, and assignments on 7 April and begin second-semester exams, but now everything has stopped. There are no tests, lectures, and assignments going on,” Makoi expressed with concerns.
Mary Jacob Marial, a second-year student appealed to the government to clear the demands of lecturers so that they resume lectures with students.
“One cannot deliver quality service to students if you go for six months without pay yet you have families who need food and other basic necessities,” she said.
Last week, the University of Juba went on strike for the same matter and also determined to organize another strike by next week should government fail to respond to their demands then they are going to close the University.
