While ASUU Strike Lasted.

In view of the just concluded industrial strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities over an earlier made agreement between the union and the Federal government in 2009 that lasted for about 60 days, respective parents in the country express their grievances concerning the action which has now become an incessant occurrence in the country. excerpts;

Mrs. Adegbite, a trader. 

The strike action isn’t fair at all. For instance, University of Ilorin students are presently in school going on with their academic activities while other schools in the same country don’t have the privilege to do so because of the industrial actions their lecturers have embarked upon. Some of these children gained admission into the university at the same time with their colleagues in Ilorin and private schools but the unending strike actions would cause a delay in the academic career of many of them as they would be impeded from graduating with these colleagues of theirs in due time. This and many other flaws in the academic system of this country have made many parents that are financially buoyant opt for sending their wards to study abroad. The most prominent one nowadays is that of parents sending their children to South Africa due to these same issues at hand.

It’s still quite reasonable if universities embark on strike actions within their confines but that of a persistent nationwide academic halt is absurd. They keep on demanding for various things that are sometimes rather un-called for. The lecturers and ASUU should at least also try to be considerate with their demands. I think it is too outrageous to include practice elongation in their arrays of requests. They should think of those coming behind them. What legacies do they intend to leave after they must have garnered all the years and experiences to themselves alone? After all they don’t intend to keep lecturing after they have gone to their graves and more so, it’s not a monarchical system.

ASUU should try to put the interests of parents as well as students at heart whenever they plan to embark on a boycott because majority of these affected parents look up to their wards graduating from school and assisting in the welfare of the family which cannot be done if things go on this way.

The strike would only contribute to the moral decadence level in the society if it persists because many children would be lured into illicit acts through idleness.

However, the government is also a partaker of the blames. They should try to fast-track their decision making processes and make academic situations return to status-quo.

Mrs. Banjo, a baby tender.

I am not pleased with this action at all. I want them to resume in time because we all are tired of the perpetual strike actions. We spend a lot of money when children stay out of school. Our prayer is that they graduate from school on time and relief us of the stress of fending for them and this cannot be achieved if actions that put an abrupt stop to academic calendars linger.

I think the government should give ASUU what they want and let peace reign.

the audio interview of Mrs. Banjo.

Mr. Bankole, a businessman.

Actually, it’s affecting everybody including the whole nation. Presently, children ought to be in school developing themselves but they are at home, roaming the streets and it is said that; an idle hand is the devil’s workshop so; this will increase atrocities in the society.

My suggestion is that the government and the union should reach a compromise. Life is not all about winning. You gain some and lose some but all the same, we still have to remind our government that they need to recognise ASUU and respect them because they are performing their duties as expected of them. After all, we have people in the house of assembly who did not receive any university tutelage earning millions while those who are actually working in the society most especially lecturing which is a very crucial occupation, still living in wants.