Labour Strike: Public Schools Send Students Home

… Private Schools Not Part Of Strike

In compliance with the indefinite strike directive by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), public schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have sent their students home.

THE WHISTLER while monitoring the level of compliance in the FCT, saw students going back to their various homes.

“We were asked to go back home until further notice,” one of the students from the Government Secondary School, Kubwa told THE WHISTLER.

However, THE WHISTLER gathered that the students who are sitting for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination were allowed to take the examination.

“We have over 500 students sitting for the examination and they are already in the examination hall writing.

“The teachers who are meant to invigilate them will be around doing their jobs while those who are not on duty will go home,” one of the teachers of the Government Secondary School, Kubwa who pleaded anonymity said.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had appealed to organised labour to consider students sitting for the examination as it plans an indefinite strike.

The Head of National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, who made the appeal on Sunday, stated that though the council shared the concerns of organised labour and those of all Nigerian workers, any disruption in the activities and arrangements for the conduct of the examination will place candidates at a major disadvantage in their academic pursuits.

According to him, most of WAEC’s employees in Nigeria are members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) or Trade Union Congress (TUC), both of which called for the strike scheduled to start on Monday.

“The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been drawn to a notice of the commencement of an indefinite strike by NLC and TUC effective Monday, June 3.

“WAEC shares in the concerns of the generality of Nigerian workers, as most of its employees in Nigeria consist of members of both unions.

“It is also worthy of mention that the unions have always been partners with WAEC in the successful implementation of its mandate through the years.

“On this premise, therefore, we wish to, however, gently remind the unions of the ongoing conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2024.

“The examination commenced in Nigeria and other member countries of WAEC, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, on April 30, and is scheduled to end by June 24.

“The week, June 3 to June 7, is scheduled for the conduct of such papers as physics, economics, government, and civic education across the federation and some West African countries.

“We hereby appeal to all stakeholders and the unions to cooperate with the council, as always, to allow the continuous smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination as has been scheduled.

“We remain committed to excellence and the service of the Nigerian people within the mandate of the council,” he said.

Also, THE WHISTLER observed that Private Schools in the FCT are up and running and are not part of the strike action.

A teacher in one of the private schools who pleaded not to be mentioned stated that they were not part of the Labour Union and as such, will not join the strike action.

“If they choose to stay at home for 10 months, the government will still pay them. Who will pay us if we stay at home? We are not part of them,” she said.

A letter shared by one of the schools to parents stated that the strike will not, in any way, affect their activities as the Labour Union demands have nothing to do with private schools.

“Kindly be informed that the planned strike action by the NLC, TUC and their affiliate unions billed to commence on *Monday the 3rd of June, 2024 will not in any way affect our activities as school owners or the school system itself.

“NAPPS FCT agrees totally that the above unions and indeed all Nigerians have the right to press home demands, especially when the means used are lawful. However, the demands here have nothing to do with our private schools. We are therefore advised to go about our lawful businesses without a fear of intimidation or harassment.

“All school activities, including the WASSCE, BECE, etc, should continue as earlier planned unless otherwise directed by NAPPS Nigeria or the regulatory bodies involved in the supervision of such activities.

“Thanks, and may God bless Nigeria,” the letter said.