The lingering poly teachers’ strike

As with university teachers, the major grouse of ASUP members is that the federal government had failed to implement major parts of an agreement by both parties in 2010. The union also accused the government of underfunding of the polytechnics and of failing to set up a needs assessment committee for the institutions and abolishing […]

As with university teachers, the major grouse of ASUP members is that the federal government had failed to implement major parts of an agreement by both parties in 2010. The union also accused the government of underfunding of the polytechnics and of failing to set up a needs assessment committee for the institutions and abolishing a so-called dichotomy in emoluments and career advancements between university and polytechnic graduates, among other grievances.
The root of the crisis bedevilling the nation’s education system has always been one of funding.  There are also issues of pecuniary incentives.  The ad-hoc approach that the government often applies in solving such problems as they arise from one body of stakeholders after another has its exacerbating effects too.. From experience, as soon as issues surrounding the ASUP strike are settled, the staff union of colleges of education and other professional associations in the education sector would almost certainly launch their own agitation.
This is a ruinous strategy, not only for the unions but especially for the sector. While every reasonable effort should be made to address the needs of the polytechnics and the complaints of staff members, the time has come for a more holistic approach for the entire sector. Education is too crucial for national development to be hobbled by one crisis after another.
 Both parties, particularly the federal government, should demonstrate a greater willingness to address issues that have forced students to be at home for five months now, and counting. Members of ASUP should also show some understanding of the snail pace nature of government bureaucracy between when decisions are reached and implemented. The almost inflexible position they have taken does not lend itself to a speedy and amicable resolution of their grievances.
More importantly the reflex recourse to strike by labour unions and their readiness to prolong them, in spite of their wider implications, is counterproductive.  This tendency to abandon work at the slightest whim has removed the sting from the strike weapon. That explains why a union like ASUP has been on a strike for this long, and not many seem to notice, but the long-term effects cannot be ignored. There are many channels available for negotiation.  These should be the preferred option rather that the recourse to strikes that disrupt the school system and lead to poor academic performance.
It should worry the nation’s lecturers and others in the school system that in the past, graduates of tertiary institutions had no problem gaining admission overseas for higher studies. No more. A major part of the problem is the frivolous strikes that shut down schools for whole semesters, or the entire session. An end should be found to this critical issue, and it begins from the lecturers themselves. The Federal Ministry of Education on its part should find a way of reengaging with ASUP members so that students can go back to school. Many of them were due to graduate next month; but that may not be possible now unless a quick end to this unnecessary strike is found.