THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to go on strike if the federal government relents on its current drive to reform the sector.

Academic activities, including the first semester examination were put on hold penultimate Tuesday, at the Adekunle Ajasin Uniuversity, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, when members of the University’s chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) refused to ‘work’.

“Do you know how many students will be denied the opportunity of being educated with the ban of part time programmes in institutions of higher learning? Does it mean that I just wasted my money to process admission for a part time programme at Uniben because I don’t know what else to do?”

Nigerian students seem to be languishing in the dust behind the moving train of the twenty first century as a result of poor computer education in many secondary schools across the country.

Challenged by the low quality graduates in the teaching profession and its consequences on school children, Corona School has introduced what it called ‘i-Teach’ programme to develop best graduates in various disciplines of teaching profession.

Determined to ensure unhindered access to it free textbooks and instructional materials, the federal government has directed parents of pupils and students in public schools to report any denial or refusal of textbooks and instructional materials to Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC and the Ministry of Education.

In this chat with Vanguard in his office in Awka, Dr. Samuel Chike Okafor, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka says improper storage of salt, use of aluminum foil in cooking and potassium bromate in bread, could be contributing to the rise in cases of cancer, kidney and liver problems in Nigeria. Excerpts:

Against all odds and speculations to scrap the only agency with the sole mandate to reduce national illiteracy in the country, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) refuses to be perturbed by the side distractions while firmly reiterating the commission’s determination to helping the federal government to attain education for all by 2015 and beyond. NMEC’s Executive Secretary, Mr Jibrin Paiko in this interview, says NMEC is alive to its mandate and responsibilities. Excerpts.

In a bid to elevate the standards of girl child education, the Federal Government has launched the policy framework on Girls and Women Education.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to adequately fund teachers’ education, even as he gave reasons why a Teachers’ college of education was established in the state.