Students issue ultimatum over delayed school resumption | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
15th July 2020
The leaderships of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), the National Association of University Students (NAUS) and the National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) have threatened to protest the delayed resumption of schools.
They called on the federal government to reconsider its stand against reopening tertiary institutions in the country.
In a statement, the unions expressed great displeasure and dismay, over the recent decision of government through the Minister of Education , Mallam Adamu Adamu, in respect to the fate of Nigerian students and their disrupted academics, courtesy of the Corona Virus.
In the statement jointly signed by Mr Sunday Asuku National President for NAPS, Mr Felix Ijegalu for NAUS and Mr Mahmud Abubakar forNational President NANCES, they observed that it is hardly feasible that the COVID-19 may be eradicated in a fortnight and after months of observing severe security mesures, there are little or no results recorded.
They said that huge funds have been used to contain the spread of the virus but there are poorly equipped medical centres albeit as portrayed by government.
“It is unfair to keep citizens at home with nothing as a means of provision, shelter or protection,” the statement added.
According to them further, “the lockdown has shattered dreams, revenues, capitals and the source of living for many.
Whereby, the poor medical facilities leaves the sick uncared for, while some who perish from hunger join the death toll of Covid-19. This makes one wonder why government workers still earn a living while private workers struggle to make it through the day.”
“The government should be aware that the students and pupils they claim to protect patronise markets or worship centres. How can they be prevented from coming in contact with the virus?
In their resolution they vowed resist any further delay in reopening of schools rejecting the proposed stagnancy aimed at leaving schools under lock and key.
They said that denying students from participating in WAEC was unreasonable and unsolicited as it would be a deliberate attempt to mismanage and delay students from competing with their counterparts worldwide.
They asked government to announce a resumption date to be fixed this month or they will not hesitate to lead students both secondary schools, Polytechnics/Monotechnics, Universities and Colleges of Education nationwide to the National Assembly in a joint protest, two weeks after the statement is issued.