6th June, 2014
Harrison Iyoha
Eight months after the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, more polytechnics are pulling out.
Unlike the protracted strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, which drew public sympathy for about six months, the Polytechnic lecturers’ plight has attracted scant attention from members of the public even as it appears there is no end in sight to the strike which began on 4 October, 2013.
ASUP had gone on a warning strike in April 2013 to demand a better salary scale from the Federal Government, among other pressing issues but when the government did not yield to their demands, they went on an indefinite strike in October.
One of the latest polytechnics to pull out of the strike is Nekede Polytechnic, Imo State.
According to a statement credited to the institution’s registrar, the institution has already informed all students and staff of the school that, “all old and new students are expected back to school on 9 June, 2014 as lectures will commence immediately.”
Also stating its intention to withdraw from the unending strike is Nassarawa Polytechnic where the school authorities held a meeting on Tuesday to conclude plans to make the withdrawal public.
Sources from the institution claimed that “the decision to pull out of the strike has been shaky but I can tell you that on Monday, 9 June, we shall also be withdrawing from the strike because everybody is tired of staying at home.”
Some of the affected students, who spoke with P.M.NEWS Campus Square, bared their minds on their disappointment as ASUP has not been able to reach a truce with the government after eight months.
Elisha Dakuru, a student of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, told our reporter that he regrets seeking admission in a polytechnic.
“I started the National Diploma programme when my younger brother was in SS3 but he is finishing his programme next month in a Private Polytechnic. Our nation is dying and our education sector is in a coma. Who will save us from Bida Poly?” he asked.
While voicing out his frustration, Solomon Ashervin Clancy said: “the nationwide strike would have ended long ago but the management of Bida Poly stood up against pulling out of the strike unlike other institutions that have pulled out already.
“They do not even have plans to pull out, they don’t seem to care about what the students are facing.”
Ujunwa Vivian Uzokwe told our reporter that her sister who is at home is yet to conclude the 2012/2013 academic session at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
“My sister is a student of Oko Poly and they are yet to complete their 2012/2013 academic session. Do you think there is hope for Polytechnic students in this country?” she queried.