ASUU: tackling one folly with another

The effects of the strike on the students are monumental. Apart from issues bothering on delay in graduation, there are other issues such as deterioration, both physically and mentally, boredom, etc. It is thus worrisome that both ASUU and the Federal government are blinded to the plights of these students, who wait anxiously for the […]

The effects of the strike on the students are monumental. Apart from issues bothering on delay in graduation, there are other issues such as deterioration, both physically and mentally, boredom, etc. It is thus worrisome that both ASUU and the Federal government are blinded to the plights of these students, who wait anxiously for the strike to be called off. While ASUU is demanding a full implementation of the said agreement, government on its part is seeking a re-negotiation of the said agreement. This difference in position, led to the collapse of talks between government and ASUU aimed at resolving issues bothering on the strike.
While this muscle flexing by ASUU and government subsist, the students remain at the receiving end. It is surprising that ASUU and government keeps talking about an agreement entered into in 2009, yet, Nigerians are completely oblivious of what the content of this agreement is. None of the parties has deemed it fit to publish the contents of the agreement; one therefore wonders if the refusal to disclose the contents of the agreement is also part of the agreement.
It is submitted that making the contents of the agreement known to members of the public, will not only go a long way in making the people appreciate the issues involved, but will enable them proffer advice to the parties. As it stands now, Nigerians are completely left in the dark with regards to the agreement.
It is however common knowledge that our educational system is in dire need of reform. In fact a state of emergency ought to be declared, overhauling our entire educational system. The decrepit state of our educational system is seen daily in the quality of graduates we produce. You find graduates who cannot construct a simple sentence. In fact afraid that very soon, graduates may not be able to spell their names, if the situation is allowed to continue. This comatose state of our educational system brings the attitude of government towards it into question. Societal development rests on massive investment in the education sector. Education is thus the basis for every other development in a country. That is why most of the developed countries of the world, invest heavily in their educational sector. Such investment is a reflection of the love these governments have for their educational sector. I am reluctant to say that our government is lacks love for our educational sector; that is why I remain seriously worried about events happening there.
It is disheartening to infer from the attitude of government that the ongoing strike by University lecturers,  is no longer its priority. One is tempted to say the major priority and preoccupation of government at the moment, is the crisis in the PDP. Education and ASUU strike, seems to have been relegated to the background. This display of contempt for education must stop! In fairness to government however, one must say government indeed made an attempt at resolving the strike. It released the sum of N130 Billion, as part of its NEEDs assessment of Universities, and also for payments of arrears to the striking lecturers and other staffs of the University. ASUU has remained adamant, insisting that the money is not enough, and has therefore called off further negotiation with government. The question one must ask is, if the amount released is inadequate, why was further meeting with government called of, can’t ASUU seek to renegotiate the amount?
Government on its part has also cancelled further negotiation with ASUU. To my mind, that is not a good decision, the reason being that two wrongs don’t make a right.
As government and ASUU continue this muscle flexing, they must know that student remain at home and the frustration is mounting daily. There are already reports of protests in different parts of the country. We can only thank God that the protests have not degenerated into a breakdown of law and order. We pray it doesn’t get to that level. But that will depend on a quick resolution of the current impasse. One therefore is persuaded to call on ASUU and the federal government to sheath their swords, and return to the negotiation table so that our students can go back to school. Both parties must sacrifice in order to save our education from imminent collapse.

 Ijege can be reached at [email protected]