Educational Issues
ASUU Indefinite Strikes; a looming danger to the education sector in Nigeria -By Yusuf Salisu Muhammad.
However, it’s government’s responsibility to halt this either by negotiation or by hook or by crook, and failure to, will inevitably decimate the country’s education sector.
In Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been embarking on strikes which are indisputably of no significant reasons in spite of their claims of so-called “demanding rights”.
This cattle of fish has been in existence for decades which both parents and students grumble on.
ASUU has numerous demands which uncountable Nigerian students consider as personal gains. However, the backwardness in education sector contributed by the corona virus pandemic “amidst global economic crises” and ASUU strike should be uppermost in mind, which for instance in it’s repercussions academic calendars of several versities are not yet set, so, where are we heading to if the strikes continue?.
Moreover, in it’s implications; the 2021 secondary school graduating students are yet to be given admissions into post-secondaries besides those in diaspora or private tertiaries, and to make things worst, the 2022 examinations to the tertiaries are approaching. So, what enjoyables are expected for our descendants in the future generation?, knowledge, etiquette, and tranquility !?,if yes, these can never be enjoyed without qualitative, considerable, and solid foundation of education.
Additionally, education as the backbone of not only any country but every continent; any menace to it should be tackled come hell or high water.
Consequently, ASUU strike keeps students in schools until they exceed their supposed graduation period, subsequently, countless number of them will become overaged, thereby, end up changing date of birth, otherwise, will not be employed.
Therefore, ASUU members should be aware that their persistent strikes keep hurting innocents Nigerian students. Obviously, the huge amount of money they demand can’t be given out by any administration at Nigeria’s present situation, on top of that, ASUU as a union of intellectuals should please come up with another solution but not strike, please. Howbeit, we commend their struggles.
Nigerians, and students particularly are not ungrateful to ASUU strivings but let the truth be told, the fact is; any adventure towards implementing what has to be done practicably should be done wisely, educationally, sympathetically, and without haste and extremism.
However, it’s government’s responsibility to halt this either by negotiation or by hook or by crook, and failure to, will inevitably decimate the country’s education sector.
As optimist, I do often expect Nigeria to be great again. May God see us through, and May He uphold our glory.
Yusuf Salisu Muhammad writes from Katsina state, his works have been Published nationally and internationally, like; world voices magazine, SUSA Africa, street reporters, Opinion Nigeria and elsewhere. He is Currently studying at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina state Of Nigeria.
