#NeedToKnow: The ASUU Strike
We're launching a new series on the ZODML Blog - #NeedToKnow is a breakdown of events around Nigeria and the world affecting the lives of ordinary people. Stay in-the-know and learn how you can respond to these key issues. Our first feature is on the ASUU Strike.
Who? The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) What? ASUU is engaged in a strike which has shut down all public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. When? The strike began on July 1, 2013.
Why? The strike dates back to the agreement ASUU and the federal government signed in 2009, which focused on the need to address falling academic standards. The agreement focused on funding requirements for revitalization of the universities, federal assistance to state universities, a progressive increase in annual national budgetary allocation to education to the 26 percent minimum recommended by UNESCO, teaching and research equipment provision, amongst other issues. ASUU’s strike is largely centred on an earned allowance for university staff, which it claims to be in arrears of N92 billion. How does this affect me? Nigerian students are the group most obviously affected by the strike. Different students have different needs, and it takes an average of three months for a student to fully grasp a course’s subject matter. A disruption to the school timetable has an impact on students’ ability to understand and absorb the course material, and puts a lot of pressure on them when they only get a few days for revision before the start of their exams. Inadequate preparation for finals can result in mass failures, which affects graduates’ readiness for the job market and the overall quality of education in the country. Public universities (which account for 98.5 of university applications), are obviously more affected than private institutions, meaning that educational inequalities and problems facing the country will only continue to deepen. The accreditation of students in certain disciplines (such as law and medicine) is also affected by the strike, slowing down the flow of graduates to the Nigerian Law School and housemanship programmes. Stakeholders such as alumni, foundation and board of trustee members are affected by the drop in educational standards at their schools. Transfer students, prospective students (both from Nigerian and foreign countries), and parents lose interest in the schools as a result of strike action, leading to an increase in enrolment at private institutions, which further affects public sector education. What can be done? Minister for Education Nyesom Wike announced on October 22 at a lecture held to commemorate the anniversary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) that “the resolution of the ongoing strike was of foremost priority to the Federal Government” and that it would be resolved in the upcoming months. In the interim, students can take advantage of self-learning tools such as online courses and free e-books to keep themselves engaged and prepared for a return to class. Want to know more?Check out the following links:
"Responding to ASUU’s Spokesman" - by Prof Sola Adeyeye, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education
"ASUU strike: Atiku leads the way as 216 Nigerians sign petition to end stalemate"
Image source: Daily Post
