By Kunle Oyatomi
For several weeks on, all government-owned universities have been shut as a result of the “Academic Staff being on strike. Things have been this way for decades now. Yet we have still not devised an effective method to manage the crisis.
The Federal Government at all times have tried to impress it on ASUU that its position on the matter is right. ASUU on the other hand insists that if this were so, the educational system in Nigeria, and the delapidated infrastructure of educational institutions would not have happened in the first place. So, who is correct?
Unfortunately, things cannot be going steadily wrong in the nation’s educational infrastructure without either or both of the parties to this crisis being largely responsible. It would appear that the main problem in addressing this crisis is the question of interest.
If in over 30 years, the University lecturers have been going on strike basically because they see the system collapsing as a result of neglect, then they appear totally justified to seek redress.
It is primarily in their interest that a vibrant educational system should be in place otherwise they would sooner or later be jobless. But even that is not the critical issue. What is at stake about this face off is the future of millions of future generations of Nigerian children whose life are being jeopardized through the action of both government and the lecturers.
But really where does the onus of accountability lie? This is the crux of the matter. The onus of ensuring that a vibrant, progressive educational system (especially at the tertiary level) thrives in Nigeria is that of the federal government. So if in the last 30 years we have witnessed such confounding deterioration in our educational system, then the federal government should be squarely held accountable for the failure.
Certainly it was not and still isn’t the responsibility of ASUU to fashion education policies in the country. That is the government’s prerogative. However since it appears that education is not on the priority list of government, no serious attention has been paid to that sector.
And what any intelligent observer can read into this attitude of government is, either the policy-makers are tragically ignorant of the importance of education to a nation’s development in the modern world, or there is a deliberate policy thrust to limit education to the few who can afford it!!
I find it absolutely incomprehensible to believe that we lack the manpower to fashion a respectable and internationally acceptable education policy in Nigeria. What appears true in the circumstances is that certain elements within government and outside Nigeria are uncomfortable with the idea of having a vibrant, educated and progressive populace that can successfully stem the selfishness of the powerful elite who are increasingly showing signs of dealing with the rest of the population as if they should remain slaves to their rulership.
Otherwise how come the government or better still the ruling elite are so keen on giving the best of the best education to their children overseas, and would do nothing to give the children of the poor similar opportunity at home at least?
Until we can find an answer to this question, we will be missing the point trying to blame ASUU for their position on this matter. Those who want ASUU to return first to classes without securing guarantees that government attitude towards funding education will fundamentally change are not helping matters at all.
First, ASUU must get this guarantee before it returns to classes. Secondly, the government must show more sense of responsibility about taking education seriously.
No country can progress if the mass of its population is either illiterate or half educated. All countries of the world that have made significant progress in modern times are those that have invested massively on educating its teaming population. It is only slave masters or a dim witted elite that pays low premium on education for the mass of their people.
It would appear that this is the bane of the educational collapse in Nigeria. Until the government can think again and prioritize education in its funding schedule, the strike phenomenon in the country will be a recoring decimal.
Ultimately it is virtually in nobody’s interest, except those who want to make pathetic slaves of our children to theirs.
I am a Nigerian Student in one of the Federal Universities. I strongly disagree with Osas’ comments. FIRST AND FOREMOST, he keeps referring to a body he’s part of as “THEY” throughout his write-up. You see, I don’t think that ASUU is proud, but our leaders are proud, blind, insensitive and obviously care-free when it has to do with EDUCATION. I do not blame them anyway, WE DID NOT VOTE THEM, so THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. They are ruling us because they used STREET URCHINS (area boys) who know nothing about University education, to force themselves into office through SELECTION (mind u, not ELECTION). How do u expect people that went into office not through the people’s decision, to PROPERLY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE? Our —– need “koboko, they need to be whipped morning, afternoon and evening. They deserve to be stoned with ‘pure water” satchets.
How can a government that is talking of VISION 20-2020 (my foot) do this to the people who are supposed to actualize these agenda? Think of how Malaysia got to where they are? Think of India, think of China, how did they get to where they are? EDUCATION + INDUSTRIALIZATION!
I SUPPORT THE STRIKE 100%. If the government feel that they can get away with anything, let them go ahead. IF the strike is called off now, WHAT WILL WE GAIN HAVING LOST ALL THOSE MONTHS AT HOME? HAVING FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING WE LEARNT? HAVING WASTED THE CHEMICALS IN OUR (dysfunctional) LABORATORIES? HAVING CRASHED OUT Ph.D AND MASTER’S RESEARCH? AND HAVING WASTED OUR LIVES? WHAT WILL BE THE FATE OF OUR CHILDREN WHEN (OR RATHER IF) THE GOVERNMENT ALLOW US TO GRADUATE? Can all of possible become Senators, Reps, Gunors, Commissioners, LG Chairmen, so that we can send our children to study abroad? Even some Councillors at my state are sending their children and siblings to Ghana. Imagine!
Talk of the attitude of some of the lecturers? At my own University, appointment into lecturership is based on “MAN-KNOW-MAN”. And I believe this happens in most of the institutions across this country. You only see the adverts after the actual recruitment has been concluded. HOW THEN DO U EXPECT THOSE UN-PREPARED ‘LECTURERS’ TO IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS EVEN WHEN GIVEN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT?
Nigeria should start taking education seriously. Instead of giving the jobs to people that are not ready for it, let employment opportunities in Universities be left open to the best of hands. This is where the best of brains are supposed to be raised. When you assemble a dysfunctional processor in a dysfunctional system, you have a dysfunctional output. This is where we are. NIGERIA IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL SOCIETY!!!
If credible elections are not organized, we will keep on having eggheads? (really?) who stay there to formulate policies that would ONLY favour themselves and their cohorts while the masses continue to suffer. Where key policies are not made in cases involving education and other key sectors, we will continue to have people who are not ready to work and will certainly produce students that are half-baked. Because we’re having issues of policies in this country. If I can employ anyone, then I better employ my brother, qualified or not; afterall, nobody will ask. Afterall, this is Nigeria!
Lest I forget, Osas raised the issue of being faithful in little. I bet Lecturers shouldn’t be blamed for any decay in different institutions, especially with allocations, subventions, etc’; but their Vice-Chancellors should answer some questions, especially at the period that there were no governing councils. If there are people that should be explaining themselves at the EFCC, it shouldnt be bank executives only, VICE-CHANCELLORS OF MOST OF OUR UNIVERSITIES SHOULD BE QUIZZED BY EFCC. YES, consultancy programmes alone can take care of our universities. But where are all the monies? But you know what? It starts with our elections. That is the bedrock of all our problems. As it is said “GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT”!
Let the Strike Continue.
But I’m sick and tired of this GREAT? country! Aluta Continua!
ASUU does not really love Nigeria as they claim. He that is faithful in little is faithful in much. What have they done with the little with them? ASUU is practicing militancy. Is it increased funding that will stop selling of scores, plagiarism, sales of copied and unedited materials called Handouts. Is ASUU giving the best for the little tax payer or oil money giving to them. I weep when everybody is just blaming Government or Politicians. I am not a politician but a Lecturer in one of the Federal Universities. What do we do with our internally generated revenue from part time programmes. ASUU request is driven by jealousy, they even jealous their Vice Chancellors’ salary.
Parents and students should not be deceived that ASUU and others actually love them, they do not. Let them give them the 107% increase they will forget about every other thing, we are wicked and not fare to Nigerians. I do not believe in continuous salary increase but in a sound economy. We cannot get there in a day. Life is a gradual process.
ASUU is proud. They fill they award the degrees and therefore every other person is a dunce. Nobody that was not taught. Getting job in the University is not more on merit than other establishment in Nigeria. The truth is that the Federal Government should not be deceived into giving ASUU a 107% increase because every other Union will capitalize on it to also ask for more and that will lead to inflation and high salary bill for all the tiers of Government including the organised private sector. Capital projects will suffer. Instead, Gorverning Councils of Universities should call their employees to work and those that are jealous of Politicians salaries may go and play politics, since they are tired of teaching and research. Frankly, a majority of University workers are grateful to Mr. President for the salary increase and are in support of her determined effort to revive the Educational sector and are ready to work. Our voices are silenced by our militants Union Leaders who for several years have not given account of how they spent our dues which they withdraw at will.
We are ready to work, see the Post UME exercises across the nation was a success, it was done by Universities workers. In short we are working, schools were only closed.
Finally, the problem of Education is the Nigeria problem caused by all Nigerians, Parents, Students, Government, University administration, and Lecturers. Where does the student get money to buy JAMB score or “block” lecturers?
Thank You
it is not a matter of speaking out after speaking out what will happen,u cannot do anything 2 them or else you want their mopol men 2 blow of ur skull.Asuu i am not saying that u not right but at the end of the day who suffers the pain the parents and the students cos i know u will still collect your salaries and me as a student once i have lost a day i cannot recover mine,pls i beg u in the name of GOD in heaven to find another means for this struggle we are firmly behind you people but not with this kind of strike.All this people telling Asuu 2 continue with the strike are not students and they dont know how it feels for someone to be at home doing nothing just to eat and sleep and think of devlish things to do an idol mind is the devils workshop.Asuu for our own sake and our parents call of the strike and continue your negotiations with the government.The way thigs are going we might be at home till next year cos this year is almost getting 2 an end.GOD help we human being just because of money.
It is so hard to believe that the govt. don’t care about EDUCATION and the future of our country. For Christ sake where are we heading to? pls let the govt. have a rethink, we are the leaders of tomorrow. We cannot achieve anything without EDUCATION WE WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.
The state of education in this country does not bother the elite because they have the means and resources to send their children to the best of schools outside the shores of this country. It is very pathetic to know that they (those in the corridors of power) don’t have the good of the country at heart because if they do they would have ended this crisis for long.
Visit some government owned universities for instance and you will see that the state of education in this country has gone down the drain. The structure are dead, the lecturer are not well taken care of.
I believe a lecturer should be among the highest paid in this country because they do alot of work to produce the brains in this country directly or indirect.
Government should turn a new leaf because the path which they are treading right now is not doing good to the educational system in this country in particular and all the other sectors in general.
Why don’t you suggest an alternative? ASUU says plainly that they have tried all methods and none worked, hence the resort to strikes. It is easy to say try another method but what is the method. So, put up or shut up. COW!!
There is one question I always ask people that tell ASUU to rethink their strategy. The question is what do you profer that ASUU use. The fact is this, the nigerian government does not listen to any other language. If lobbying was effective or other approaches were, am sure you and I will not be here today. Our leaders are deaf to the sound of reasoning.
What they fail to understand is that, the ripple effects of their actions is beginning to come to light. With the increasing wave of kidnapping and crime rates, means at the end of the day, there families will be kidnapped (including themselves). They will be caught up in their crimes. It is just a matter of time.
NIGERIANS SPEAK OUT, FIGHT THESE THIEVES THAT HATE THE PROGRESS OF OUR DEAR NATION