Is the FG really trying to cripple the education sector so as to reduce the number of educated Nigerians which will in turn result in the masses not understanding or bothering to ask meaningful questions when the leaders are leading them astray?

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A Wake-up Call to Conscience
September 24, 2009 PRESS RELEASE
THE ASUU STRIKE IN PERSPECTIVE; THE LOOMING NUT STRIKE AND OTHER MATTERS ARISING IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR!!!

It is now three months since the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been on Strike, yet the President Yar Adua led government has refused to listen to the just and legitimate concerns of the striking lecturers. Rather than engage in good faith negotiations, the government has resorted to scare tactics, calling the Union bluff, and insisting that it will no longer negotiate with the striking lecturers unless they call off the strike and return to the classrooms. We believe that such diversionary methods smack of nothing less but cheap blackmail. It only serves to postpone the evil day. Elsewhere, at the Primary and Secondary level, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has made good its threat to embark on another strike action due to government’s failure to pay the 27.5% Teachers Salary Scale (TSS). It is sad to note that over a year after the 36 States government agreed to pay the TSS, less than half of the States have lived up to the agreement. At the last count, at least nineteen States, some of which are Anambra, Abia, Bauchi Benue, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Kebi, Kogi, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Taraba have not paid the TSS.
It is instructive to note that while the government has refused to pay a mere 27.5% increase in salaries of its civil servants who happens to be teachers, and has refused to sign the agreement reached with striking lecturers, the government under the same given period had increased by at least 800% (the much touted salaries cut notwithstanding) the emoluments of the 17,000 or so elected and appointed public officials at both the States and Federal levels. A Senator of the Federal Republic for instance currently gets at least an official emolument of N48m annually while teachers at the Primary and Secondary Schools gets less than N500, 000 annually, yet they all buy and sell in the same market. This is unfair and every court of jurisprudence will rise up against it. But all of this is to be expected, as the stubborn refusal to genuinely address issues has been the hallmark, nay the trademark of successive governments at all levels (Local, State and Federal) in this country.
This is why we cannot agree with those who are saying that ASUU has over used the strike option. By the same token, we disagree with those who are advising the NUT not to embark on another strike action. ASUU in particular cannot afford to recede now. There will be nothing more tragic than for the lecturers to stop at this point. And we call on all Nigerians to support the teachers in whichever peaceful means possible to see this through. The issues raised by ASUU are very critical and we’ve got to keep attention on that and keep the issues where they are: poor funding of the Universities, lack of books-University libraries nationwide now mere consulting clinics, poor infrastructure, poor welfare, lack of autonomy, loss of academic freedom, etcetera. These are the issues and we’ve got to join hands with ASUU and the NUT to send a strong message about how we honestly feel about the politicisation and commercialisation of education by the government, for as Martin Luther King, Jr. say, “When people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.” And we want to reiterate once more to the NUT and ASUU that we will be willing to participate actively in any genuine direct action program designed to end all of the socio-political evils plaguing our education sector. All they have to do is sound the call and we will be right there.
You know! It is a sad truth that our government is yet to realise the importance of education in national development. A country that wishes to develop cannot do so without recognising the place of education and if this government really wants to achieve its lofty dream of “Vision 2020,” then it must radically begin to revolutionise its values and re-order its priority in so far as education is concerned; the Yar Adua Administration must stop relegating education to the backburner of national issues and make education the first item on its agenda. If this Administration can muster the political will to do this, it may yet save its face and recover from the state of stupor it’s presently in. This would afford Mr. President the chance to achieve a pass mark in at least one out of his seven-point agenda which he has failed to record even a minute progress on any in the over two years he has spent out of his four year term. President Yar Adua and his number two, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan who had been lecturers before may well decide to be the catalysts for change. Come to think of it! Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of Teachers and Lecturers more than one of their own? Both men must make a decision for once. They have a wonderful opportunity to do everything possible to put education in its proper place in this country.
In today’s cybernetic world, to compete effectively in the global market and integrate successfully into the global economy, education must be given the very serious attention that it deserves; nations all over the world including neighbouring West African Countries are fast waking up to this reality, and Nigeria must be no different. How else does the government intend to achieve the dream of Vision 2020, which is to become at least the 20 th most industrialised nation by 2020? The implication of that Vision 2020 as we understand it is to displace Belgium and take its place, for Belgium is currently the 20th most industrialised nation presently. How does the government intend to achieve this feat without the sound equipping of its people educationally to face the challenges of the 21st century? This government has the rare opportunity to show that the security and welfare of the Nigerian people is its primary concern.
In the light of this, we like to suggest five concrete things for the government to do in order to end this nightmare:

1. Return immediately to the negotiating table with ASUU {we hope the bringing in of Comrade (Governor) Adams Oshiomhole to the government negotiating team is not merely to whittle down the strike and launder the government already battered image}; the Comrade (Governor) must resist every attempt to be used as a bait and a shield. Government must return immediately to the negotiating table and sign that agreement already reached with ASUU with no strings attached. This was the same strategy adopted by the Administration with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and up till this moment the Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) is still facing hiccups. The idea by the Yar Adua Administration that under a Democracy, it cannot sign any agreement on behalf of State governments is not only political unsound, but sociological untenable. Why is that when it comes to issues of education and policies bothering genuinely on the people’s welfare, this Administration suddenly realises it is in a Democracy, but on all other issues, it can wade into the States at whim and interferes or even abrogate their policies at will? The notion also being propagated by the Yar Adua led government that the various ASUU units should negotiate with their Governing Council also does not make sense, because we all know that that any decision reached at that level will not be binding on the government. Government must therefore honestly face the issues raised squarely for our educational system cannot be toyed with any longer.
2. The various State governments that have defaulted on payment of the TSS must start paying immediately so that the teachers can return to work.
3. The ongoing implementation of the nine-year basic education programme should be put on hold, thrown to honest public debate for all Nigerians to be aware of what the policy entails, because in our view, it will not address the minimum requirement of a University Curriculum; removing the JSS Component and tying it to the previous six-year primary Component as the new nine year universal basic education that is free, universal and compulsory, while precluding the SSS Component from it is devoid of common sense as it cannot be build upon at a later date.
4. Invest massively in education of the citizenry at all levels, build and equip new schools, recruit an army of new teachers, train and kit them up properly with better salaries, as it will take nothing less to compete effectively with other nations and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
5. Stop henceforth the politicization and commercialization of education and desist further from tying our education system to the aprons of foreign interests.
Eneruvie Enakoko
(CLO Chairman in Lagos)


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Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Lagos 13, Soji Adepegba Close, Off
Allen Ave, Ikeja/Lagos. Tel: 234-1-08033188864, 4939324-5, 7746694.
Fax: 01-4939324, P.O Box 53328, Ikoyi, Lagos. Email:
clolagosnigeria@gmail.com, clolagos@yahoo.com, Website: www.clo-ng.org
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Afam
Good one!

When I remember that Nigerian Students are on strike, my anger goes to the Men and Women in Nigeria that call themselves PARENTS (My Dad inclusive). While they sit at home and lament about the closure of Nigerian Universities, non of them have thought to organise a rally, if not in solidarity with ASUU, at least to show their anger and concern that the government is extending the age of parental responsibility. While in developed and fast developing countries, the depedency age, has significantly reduce to near 18years, in Nigeria, children depends on their parents for the basic food and accommodation untill they are in their 30s. When are they going to be productive to the society?

In no any country on this earth will their Universities be closed for 3 months and there are no riots, demonstrations or rallies. In Nigeria it is business as usual. This country is full with docile, inempt, lazy, coward and stupid people. I no longer pity Nigerians and their problems. We deserve what is happening to us. God, will not come down and solve our problems. No matter the amount of prayer, singing, praise, speaking in tongue, alms, charity and fasting we do, God will not listen to you. Infact, God has stopped listening to Nigerians.

What is the difference between what the government is doing now and what Boko Haram was advocating? The only difference is these are using state power and the boko haram are non-state elements.

no comment!

Afam:

It is sad to note that over a year after the 36 States government agreed to pay the TSS, less than half of the States have lived up to the agreement. At the last count, at least nineteen States, some of which are Anambra, Abia, Bauchi Benue, Delta, edo,Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Kebi, Kogi, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Taraba have not paid the TSS.

Edo self never pay? Oshiomhole why? no be to they make mouth and blow big big grammar oooooooooooooo

Afam:

The implication of that Vision 2020 as we understand it is to displace Belgium and take its place, for Belgium is currently the 20th most industrialised nation presently.

big lie! big lie! by the way we are doing things in this country in the next 300yrs we cannot surpass Belgium as an industrialised nation