Teachers at the International School of the University of Lagos (ISL) have commenced a work-to-rule action, protesting against the university's failure to implement a National Industrial Court judgment concerning their employment status and outstanding salary arrears. This decision, taken on Wednesday, highlights the ongoing financial struggles faced by the educators due to delays in resolving critical employment issues.

The teachers are demanding the immediate implementation of a court ruling that mandates the payment of their outstanding Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Teaching Allowance (CONTTA) arrears, as well as the 2024 salary adjustment arrears resulting from previous salary increases of 25% and 35%. During a protest held on campus, Comrade Razak Yusuf, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at the University of Lagos, addressed the gathered teachers, emphasizing that the action was a necessary response to the prolonged delays in addressing their grievances.

Yusuf pointed out that a similar dispute involving teachers at the University of Abuja had been resolved by the Federal Government following a court ruling, suggesting that the University of Lagos management should take note of this precedent. The teachers clarified that their work-to-rule action does not equate to abandoning their teaching responsibilities but is instead a response to unresolved issues regarding their employment and welfare.

The educators argue that their appointment letters and years of service clearly establish their employment relationship with the university, insisting that their placement at the International School does not exempt the institution from its obligations as their employer. They are particularly concerned about their exclusion from the university's payroll, which has significantly disadvantaged them compared to other university employees.

The teachers have called on the university management to restore them to the payroll in accordance with the court order and to address any funding or administrative issues through the appropriate channels. They also seek a detailed payment plan outlining the amounts owed, the process for settlement, and a timeline for when these payments will be made.

Rejecting any notion that the interim arrangements under the university's Council protocol are acts of goodwill, the teachers assert that they are merely seeking recognition of their employment rights, not special treatment. They maintain that their commitment to teaching should not be misinterpreted as acceptance of ongoing delays in resolving their financial entitlements.

The group has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with university management but insists on concrete steps toward a resolution rather than mere assurances. They hope that a prompt resolution will restore industrial harmony, allowing them to continue their teaching duties with greater certainty regarding their employment status and financial security.

As of the latest updates, the university management has not yet responded to the teachers' claims and demands. The employment conditions of teachers in international schools operated by federal universities have been a persistent source of disputes across the country, often leading to legal battles over their rights and entitlements.