The tragedy befalling the education sector went messier yesterday (Wednesday), as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) said, it would begin indefinite strike December 12.
This is just as President of the Academic Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi yesterday told striking lecturers to get ready for a prolong industrial action that started November 4.
ASUP National President, Usman Dutse who disclosed this yesterday decried that the Federal Government has failed to meet their demands. ”We shall commence an indefinite strike December 12.
He said: “Government has failed to implement and fulfil agreements it reached with the union as contained in the memorandum of understanding signed.
”The issue of the funding of the institutions has always been a major concern. After the government conducted the NEEDS assessment in 2014, it promised to implement it. Years after, there is no designed roadmap to implement it.”
According to him, the Union had on October 2 issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government and when it elapsed, it extended it to November without the government given them attention.
You will recall that ASUP went on strike in November 2017; but when the Federal Government reached an agreement to implement the recommendations of the 2014 NEEDS assessment, the strike was suspended 15 days after.
Dutse who lamented that the bill meant to review the act on the establishment of polytechnics in the country was yet to be passed by the National Assembly, adding that he believed the strike would assist to fast-track it.
Meanwhile, ASUU president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi Wednesday charged striking workers to brace up for a long strike.
Professor Ogunyemi, in Bulletin number 5 sent to all members of the union said: ”Members are to be on the watch and prepare for a long drawn out struggle to salvage the university system.”
He urged members to remain steadfast “and resolute in the face of intimidation or antics employed by the government through vice-chancellors and governing councils to undermine the ongoing struggle.”
“Government is yet to change its “keep them talking” style and stance as all the meetings held so far with the Minister of Education are yet to resolve any of the demands of ASUU.”
Comments
Post a Comment