Luanda - The Ministry of Education (MED) reiterated Wednesday that the government is working to meet the demands of teachers in Angola.
The MED reacted through a note to the strike started Wednesday (23) by the National Union of Teachers (SINPROF), which, among other points, is calling for improvements in salaries and working conditions.
In the document, the education sector stresses that seven of the ten points of the demands, part of the memorandum signed on 24 April 2021, have been resolved, with only three being outlined as reasons for the national strike in general education (excepting higher education) public schools.
On the other hand, regarding school meals, the note adds that it is part of the programme to combat poverty and due to that MED is working with other ministerial departments in order to project a differentiated budget, taking into account the number of schools and pupils.
Regarding the issue of dignifying teachers through the appreciation of service time, those who met the requirements have already been promoted, and the last phase is underway, which will be concluded in January 2023, according to the schedule prepared in the light of the memorandum.
In this regard, MED appeals for common sense, so that the spirit of dialogue prevails.
The SINPROF defends the suspension of classes in three phases, namely from 23 to 30 November 2022, the second from 6 to 16 December of the same year and the last from 3 to 31 January 2023.
According to the chairman of the union, Guilherme Silva, the strike is due to the non-compliance, by the government, of some points included in the demands.
ANGOP has visited some schools in the capital city (Luanda) and noted the suspension of classes.