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