Akinmulegun Kenny Samson wrote: THE GRASS UNDER THE FIGHTING ELEPHANTS: The only victim of war. There is a popular saying that when two elephants fight, it is only the grass under them that suffers; this seems to be a replica of the current trend in the education sector of the so called giant of Africa where those who claim to be stakeholders in the sector careless about those who really hold the major stake in the sector. Let it ring in the heart of everyone that ifthere is no citizen, there cannot be government;if there have not been students, there won’t be teachers (either of higher institutions or lower institutions) and definitely there won’t be ministry of education. The cases of incessant strike in the education sector by those who claim to be fighting for the survival of the sectorhas caused nothing but an unappreciable improvement, if any at all, to the sector. Who really is to be blamed, the government or the Unions? The government definitely has the lion share of the blame. The government in this context includes the Federal, State and Local governments ranging from the past leaders to the current ones who have not only destroyed the foundation of sound education of our dear nation but has gone ahead to build on the destroyed foundation, hence causing problems that might never have a lasting solution. Our government fails to realize that education is a means of realizing the productive power of a nation, no wonder they have decided to under fund this sector and this can be said to be one of the major reasons why our nation has been experiencing a stagnant growth over the years. Policy cancelling, policy in the name of political interests, approval of unions’ request without foresight into the future implication, appointment of inexperienced and incompetent hands to handle the sector, and many more has been the harms our government has done to our dear education sector.In fact, it is obvious to everyone that our government is the major problem of our dear education sector; they careless about students despite the fact that some of them were once students in Nigeria. That we shed tears doesn’t mean we will lose our sight; as the Yorubas will say that if we cry, we will definitely still see. As much as I will blamethe government and cry over their retrogressive contribution to the education sector, the roles of our teachers to this should also be pointed out. Let it be noted that unions like NUT, ASUU, ASUP, SSANU, NASUU, et al have their members to be non- student and they are obliged to fight for and protect the interest of their members over anyone’s interest.It is only when they want to deceive students, parents and the masses that they claim they are fighting for the interest of the education sector. Taking ASUU as a case study, since they seem to be the latest union on strike now. This union was founded in 1978 as a transformation of the Nigerian Association of University Teachers which was formed in 1965. This union since its birth has been known to be struggling against the government for the interest of its members. The first demonstration of this union against the government was in 1988 because of fair wages for its members and university autonomy (with no concern for the students). Since then, this union has embarked on,subsequent strike actions including the 2007 and 2008 strike actions to demand for improved salary scheme and reinstatement of dismissed 49 lecturers of UNILORIN, some of who have started lecturing in other institutions (this also has no reference for students).There is no doubting that one of the causes of educational backwardness is the incessant strike actions by ASUU. In 2009, after over three months of ASUU strike, they decided to call of the strike when therewas an agreement with the government that the salaries of lecturers will be increased by 53% and that of senior and junior staff by 25%; coupled with the fact that the retirement age of professors has been increased from 65 to 70 (so the three months suffering of students has been majorly for this and this alone, what a union that care for the education sector). ASUU careless about students, and this reflects in the speech of the union’s head when he said that despite the effect of the current strike on students and parents, they will go on with the strike. It should be noted that between 1993 and2008, universities in Nigeria were closed for nearly 36months because of ASUU strike actions; is this really a positive contribution to the higher institution of the education sector? It is so bad that we find ourselves in a country where everyone fights for his/her own interest without considering the ripple effect of such action on others. It even gets worse when somemembers of ASUU have divided opinion and interest on the strike action as some of them claim they were not consulted before the decision was reached, some even claim they were aware of the action only through the newsby media outfits; it now paints a picture that it is a decision of some few. Have ASUU ever realized that they don’t constitute up to 20% of the different unions in the education sector? Have they realized the psychological effects of their actions on students? Have they realized that evenafter the work free period of their strike they still get paid? ASUU struggle for development would have been more appreciated if they team up with other unions, ranging from primary to higher institutions. ASUU strike would have been more appreciated if they are ready to forfeit the salaryof their work free strike period, just like students will waste away during this period. If the incessant ASUU strike over the years has not been for the sole interests of its members, this current action would have been more appreciated. Five year course has turned six; four year course has turned five, thanks to ASUU strikes; mind you, it is not only ASUU that is guilty of this. ASUU complains of insufficient funding of the Universities, that is good and beautiful. Have they fought the creation of other Federal universities when the ones on ground have not been properly funded? Why haven’t they discovered another means of fight besides strike? After all, they are the ones that do preach to us to shun protest but encourage dialogue since that will only disrupt academic calendar. If strike has not granted the mall of their requests for years, whystill use it to waste the time of the students? “Oosa boo le gbemi, se mi boo se bami” meaning that, my deities if you cannot save me, please leave me as you met me. If ASUU claim they are fighting for us (students) why do they still make the little time we have to spend uncomfortable? Knowledge, I will say they have; truth, I will say they don’t say; and service, I will say they don’t render sincerely. Com. Ismael Taiwo NANS JCC OYO PRO For: the CHAIRMAN
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:08:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015