FCTA urges teachers to end strike, says timing harms pupils

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has made a strong appeal to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, to immediately call off their indefinite strike, highlighting the detrimental impact on students. The administration views the timing of the industrial action, which began Monday, as particularly harsh, given that students are on the cusp of commencing their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations on Tuesday.

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I don’t think it is constitutionally right for the NUT to come and chase students out of the classrooms.

Danlami Hayyo, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, expressed deep concern over reports of union members forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms. He questioned the constitutionality of such actions and emphasized the potential for widespread failure among FCT students if they are prevented from taking their exams. Hayyo stressed that WAEC would not reschedule examinations solely for students in the FCT, underscoring the gravity of the situation for the affected pupils.

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How can you expect your sons and daughters to write exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out today?

The FCTA also sought to clarify the locus of responsibility for the teachers' grievances. Hayyo suggested that many of the outstanding issues fall under the purview of Local Education Authorities and Area Council Chairmen, rather than the FCT Administration itself. While acknowledging Minister Nyesom Wike's efforts in renovating schools and partially settling teacher entitlements, the administration implored the NUT to return to the negotiation table. The plea is framed around prioritizing the students' future and avoiding the exacerbation of the out-of-school children crisis in the territory, warning that discouraging children now could lead to future societal repercussions.

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This could lead to mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule the examinations for FCT students alone.