Disagreement Looms In Nigeria Educational Sector As Stakeholders Condemn Ministry Of Education

Some of the stakeholders in the education sector have condemned the policy flip by the Federal Government on when schools in the country will reopen and when final year students in Senior secondary schools (SSCE), will write their concluding examinations.

The stakeholders, in a statement on Thursday, said such a development shows a lack of synergy in government and in the formulation and execution of policies.

Some of the stakeholders included the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and the National Association of Private School Teachers (NAPST).

The National President of NAPPS, Chief Yomi Otubela, described the development as shocking.

In his own words; “It is shocking because on Monday the Minister of State announced to the whole world that final year students can resume next month to be able to sit for their terminal papers. After that, he met with stakeholders including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB among others on the development. During the meeting, Nwajiuba even told the examination bodies to harmonise their timetables”.

He further said; “The popular opinion at the meeting was that those set of students be allowed to resume and sit for their exams. To now say no to such a suggestion is very unfortunate. We are still studying the statement by Minister Adamu and we will react appropriately. One thing is certain, we cannot continue to toy with the future of our children. No one is saying health and safety are not important, but with the arrangement made as shown by schools that have resumed in Oyo State, I think there is no cause for alarm”.

Meanwhile the National President of ASSU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said that the development showed poor leadership of the ministry as they did not do enough homework and did not coordinate well.

He, however, supported the decision by Adamu that schools should remain locked.

The National President of NAPST, Mr. Akhigbe Olumhense, also opined and lambasted the government for the policy flip.

According to him, the major fear of the government is about public schools that it has failed to make up to standard.