Government deserves much commendation for ably and quickly ending the teachers strike last week. They were rightly demanding monies due to them as persons key in the development of our human capital. The strength of a country depends on the will and output of its teachers. Teacher make a country prosper because they build skills, and mentor talent for leadership. No ounce of enegery should be spared to make our teachers comfortable and motivated.
Yet, we want to warn Gambians to avoid falling into strike reflex, such that whatever ails us, we go on strike. Strike reflex destroy countries. There are many failed education and health systems in Africa today caused by incessant and unthoughtful strike action. Our country must be spared such horror.
History tells us that even during colonial rule from 1889-1965, Gambians embarked on strike only occasionally. Strikes, picketing, boycotts are not the way that we Gambians are known by. We solve our labour and industrial grievances, and they are many, through give and take, patience and dialogue. Strikes destroy countries.
Of course, it is easy to say that strikes are allowed under our Constitution and so and so. But it is not whatever is constitutional that one must do; citizens must be pragmatic and patriotic. There are many ways to get our needs attended to as workers, for example, than to go on strike and putting lives and fortunes at risk.
Due to the fierce dictatorship we are emerging from, each and every sector in this country is a priority. Nurses, forest rangers, dockers, Ministers are all in need of salary upgrade, for example. But we cannot say that we put our pecuniary needs before the interest of the country.
Each sector must strive to ensure that al avenues are exhausted before going on debilitating strike action. The press is one recourse; the National assembly is another avenue to get redress; the Ombdusman; the National Human Rights Council is another, to name a few institutions that can help to het grievances heard. The Council of Elders, traditional rulers, Imams and Priests are also suitable intermediaries.
Patriots who get grievances should endeavour to first exhaust the long list of possibilities for dialogue before putting our country on strike suffocation.
The recent teachers strike was in many ways unneeded, even though it was heeded to. Our children, due to Corona pandemic, had already lost enough teaching hours to be subjected to another round of loss. Now that it is over, it has taken time for parents and pupils to return to class.
This tells us that it is easier to strike than to un-strike.
Another lesson is to avoid the brinkmanship associated with strike action. Strikes create more harm as at the end of the day what is to be solved would be solved only through dialogue.
Our country is one of dialogue and consensus. Strikes should be the last, last and last resort for the dispossessed, the looked over and the rejected.