The interminable industrial action embarked upon by the members and leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), which has led to indefinite suspension of academic activities in the public polytechnics for virtually eight (8) months, has caused irreparable damages to the
polytechnic education system and the students and as well has negative tendencies of bedevilling the nation’s growth and development.
Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) embarked on an indefinite strike on the 29th of April, 2013, in pursuance of 13-point demand which inter alia are the need for constitution of governing councils for the polytechnics, appointment of unqualified persons as rectors and provost by some state government, the worrisome state of state-owned polytechnics and the removal of the dichotomy between Bsc holders and HND holders.
The first stage of the strike, which was suspended after 81days following interventions by the senate and promises by FG to meet the demand of the striking union, was resumed on 4th October, 2013, as a result of government’s inability to fulfil their promise to the union after the one month ultimatum given to them has elapsed.
Needless to say, the demands of the striking union are centred on the development of the polytechnic education rather than their selfish interest. Yet, appropriate measures have not been taken to end the strike.
Reasons for that not far from the fact that FG has failed to appreciate the importance of polytechnic education and its indispensable role to national growth and development. Hence, investment in the subsector for its development is not worthwhile, as perceived by them.
In addition, continuous recognition of the universities as the nation’s only high institution has culminated to concentration of resources and attention towards its development to the detriment of other subsectors of the education system such as the polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education. Hence, issues concerning the polytechnics are either neglected entirely or attended to with snail speed.
In an ASUP meeting with the FG, convened on Tuesday, 21st January, 2014, to resolve the issues of the striking union, it was revealed by the ASUP chairman, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha, that the federal government selected 4 issues it could resolve out of the 13 issues contained in the demand.
Unfortunately, the issue of removing the dichotomy between HND and Bsc holders, which was the major factor that instigated students support on the lingering strike, was not among the four issues that were selected. Recall also that during the Obasanjo’s administration, attempts were made to end this issue of discrimination because of its many accompanying problems which are continuous recognition of polytechnics as glorified secondary schools, marginalization of polytechnic graduates, poor psychological satisfaction to polytechnic graduates and undergraduates, avoidance of polytechnic education by virtually every student seeking admission into the high institutions and under-utilization of talents and other potentials of Nigeria’s students, which led to underdevelopment of the polytechnic education and the nation at large. Yet, these attempts failed as a result of insincerity, inconsistency and ‘unseriousness’ of people involved.
Consequently, I reckon that this issue be taken as a matter of high priority and resolved as its continuity will cause more harm and set-backs to the polytechnics and the economy of the country. Let me also state here with deep disappointment that this obnoxious segregation of polytechnic students is a heavy challenge to our great nation, Nigeria, as well as all Its enlightened.
It is quite appalling that in this present era, both public and private employers still buys the ideology that university graduates are better off than their polytechnic counterparts thereby employing people who are merely paper-qualified without considering their individual intellectual and skills. What a shame!
Indisputably, this eight (8) month industrial action has done enormous damages to the future of over 2 million students. To start with, polytechnic graduates who are due for their service have not been mobilized whereas some other institutions were unable to schedule exams for their final year (HNDII) students before joining the strike.
More so, students who were just offered admission into the polytechnics have not started their screening let alone lectures. These students, unavoidably, become embodiments of frustration and idleness. A good number of other students have been forced to stay at home jobless with their parents.
They can neither study their books nor go into apprenticeship as a result of frustration. This makes the students to be academically dull. It is quite pathetic also to learn that some of these students have falling victims to one social vices or the other. Yet, no substantive measure has been taken to end the strike. Furthermore, there has been incessant distortion of academic calendar as a result of the intermittent strike.
This makes it impossible for schools to conclude their academic activities for each semester. And in most cases, they stay longer than normal, ranging from 6 to 10 months, for one semester which is not supposed to exceed 4 months.
Irrespective of all these accompanying consequences of this strike, FG concentrated her attention on 2015 election and then play deaf-ear to the on-going strike and its consequences. It would not be a mistake, therefore, to state that our education has been traded for 2015 election.
So unfair! If “education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world” according to Nelson Mandella, then, it is practically impossible to change our country, let alone the world, with such flippant attitude of our leaders towards educational development.
My claims can further be authenticated by the inability of the media houses to publish issues concerning the strike. Since the commencement of this protracted strike, hardly would you see any newspaper headline talking about strike. It is 2015 election here and there.
Consequently, I appeal to Federal Government to address the issues of this striking union so that students can return to classes and their future saved. I also implore you to take appropriate measure to end the discrimination between polytechnics and universities in order to restore the glory, reputation and worth of our education system.
In conclusion, I want to advice the government and the entire masses, borrowing the words of John F Kennedy, “that we should think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us, there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefits for everyone and greater strength of the nation. Therefore, I beseech FG to save our future through sound education to save our nation.
NKWO NELSON,
HND1,
FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE
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