The Federal Government has been urged to collaborate with academic unions in tertiary institutions to improve the quality of education in the country in the coming year (2024).
The advice was given by the Deputy National President of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, in an interview on Friday.
Ogunbanjo, while appraising the education sector in the outgoing year and the expectations for year 2024, also described the spate of insecurity in parts of the country as challenging.
According to him, insecurity is a major challenge affecting the education sector. He stated that the military and security agents must give priority attention to security of institutions of learning in 2024.
“Another thing threatening education is the issue of security; it’s a serious problem and a challenge that requires adequate attention in the coming year.
“The military and security agents must, as a matter of fact, approach this issue with stern measures to stop kidnapping in our schools to restore the confidence of both students and parents,” Ogunbanjo said.
The NAPTAN chief said the education sector in the outgoing year was impressive, but there was room for improvement.
Harping on the importance of collaboration between the tertiary institutions’ unions and government, he said, “The entire idea and focus of both the academic unions and government should be to see our education sector progress to the next level against unnecessary rancour.
“Agitation for a salary increase, wages, allowances are good, but at the same time, strike is not the way because it is at the detriment of the students however you look at it.
“The ASUU strike, IPPIS and all these casual distractions should not repeat themselves next year. Stakeholders must play their part and play it well.”
On the Students Loan Bill, Ogunbanjo said that Nigerians were full of expectations as the implementation was to take effect in 2024.
He appealed to the FG to make the loan accessible, saying, “Too many stringent processes will defeat the purpose or idea behind the student loan.
“I, hereby, appeal to the Federal Government to make it accessible and seamless so that people can actually benefit.”
The NAPTAN scribe also appealed, “ASUU should seek to improve on their services to the universities, students and parents. Missing results are usually common in federal institutions which cannot happen in the private.
“ASUU must look into these complaints and ensure that members of staff are dedicated to the job and deliver appropriately. I have a series of complaints from parents and students on this issue.”
Comments