By Funmilayo Adeyemi<\/p>\n
Abuja<\/p>\n
Students of Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja have deferred their scheduled resumption following opposition by teachers\u2019 unions to the proposed concession of King\u2019s College, Lagos.<\/p>\n
Most of the colleges earlier scheduled to resume students on Sunday, Sept. 13, were under lock and key when News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents visited the institutions.<\/p>\n
The development followed a directive by the teachers\u2019 union against the proposed concession of King\u2019s College by the Federal Government.<\/p>\n
NAN observed that several of the colleges had no teachers or students on their premises as of Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Some of the schools had notices pasted on their gates, indicating that academic activities would not resume as earlier scheduled.<\/p>\n
One of the inscriptions read, \u201cUnity Colleges are not for sale,\u201d \u201cNo resumption until reversal of King\u2019s College concession,\u201d clearly linking the deferred resumption to the ongoing dispute.<\/p>\n
Other inscriptions included, \u201cSave the future of our children\u201d and \u201cUnity Colleges are the pride of the masses.\u201d<\/p>\n
The messages highlighted concerns among teachers and other stakeholders over the possible implications of concessioning a Federal Unity College.<\/p>\n
At the Federal Government Boys\u2019 College, Apo, the school premises were deserted, with no teachers available to receive students.<\/p>\n
NAN also observed that no parents brought their wards to the school, apparently because of the uncertainty surrounding the scheduled resumption.<\/p>\n
Speaking in an interview, Mrs Amina Abdullahi,\u00a0the Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Federal Government Boys\u2019 College, Apo, confirmed that the school did not open as scheduled.<\/p>\n
Abdullahi said the development was in compliance with the directive of the teachers\u2019 union.<\/p>\n
She added that the school was also awaiting further directives from the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) on the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are asking for openness in all of this because the old boys have been helpful to the schools,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Abdullahi explained that the school gate had been locked by the union, making it impossible for teachers to resume normal activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe union has locked up our gate. So, we are not expected to fly through the fence. So, that\u2019s it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The PTA chairperson said she could not provide a definite timeline for students\u2019 resumption because some underlying issues had yet to be resolved.<\/p>\n
She urged the Federal Government to ensure openness and transparency in resolving the dispute over the proposed concession.<\/p>\n
Abdullahi said former students had continued to contribute to the development and improvement of the schools.<\/p>\n
She urged the government to recognise the contributions of old students and other stakeholders in the management and development of Federal Unity Colleges.<\/p>\n
According to her, parents would have to await further developments before determining when normal academic activities would resume.<\/p>\n
Abdullahi stressed the need for all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the concerns surrounding the proposed concession of King\u2019s College.<\/p>\n
She said the interest of students should remain paramount in any decision concerning the future of the Federal Unity Colleges.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, Mr Adamu Ali, Financial Secretary, Federal Government Girls\u2019 College, Bwari, said the school complied with the union\u2019s directive.<\/p>\n
Ali said the directive affected the scheduled resumption of students in Federal Unity Colleges across the country.<\/p>\n
He called on the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently interface with the unions to resolve the dispute.<\/p>\n
According to him, direct and transparent dialogue between the government and staff unions is critical to resolving the disagreement.<\/p>\n
Ali said such engagement would also help to ensure the safe reopening of the affected schools.<\/p>\n
He warned that prolonged disputes could disrupt the academic calendar and affect the welfare and safety of students and staff residing in the colleges.<\/p>\n
Ali urged all parties to prioritise the interests of students by resolving the matter through constructive engagement.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, backed the suspension of resumption in Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.<\/p>\n
Amba urged the Federal Government to suspend the proposed concession of King\u2019s College, Lagos, and consult relevant stakeholders on the policy.<\/p>\n
He said the leadership of the union\u2019s Federal Wing would meet on Monday to deliberate on the development and determine the next line of action.<\/p>\n
Amba described the situation as avoidable, saying all stakeholders ought to have been consulted before the government took such a decision.<\/p>\n
He said teachers, who were central to the running of schools, should have been carried along before the proposed concession was introduced.<\/p>\n
According to him, concessioning the college could lead to a change in management, thereby raising concerns about the fate and welfare of teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere can never be school without teachers. And every worker should be able to be seen protecting his place of work,\u201d Amba said.<\/p>\n
He said the concession of one Federal Unity College could encourage similar demands involving other Federal Government Colleges, potentially undermining their original public-service purpose.<\/p>\n
Amba, however, clarified that the NUT had not officially directed teachers to withdraw from work or declared a closure of schools, saying Monday\u2019s meeting would enable the union to assess the situation and communicate its position to teachers.(NAN)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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