For many years now, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been embarking on strikes to press home their demands from the Federal Government.
The effect is that Nigerians now consider strikes as part of the features of the education sector; strikes are now the norm. This shouldn’t be: university education is too important to be treated with levity.
Many undergraduates hoping to become graduates in four or seven years, depending on their discipline, have had their hopes dashed time and again.
With the situation right now, it might take between six and 10 years before they can become graduates.
Strikes affect a student psychologically. I think it is high time the Federal Government redoubled its efforts and repackaged the budget to bring back a vibrant and effective educational system.
It would not be encouraging to have commendable progress in agriculture and other sectors, while the educational sector lags behind.
Education is the foundation for a better tomorrow, hence, the Federal Government should wake up to its responsibilities.
- Deborah Mustapha, Esep-Le-Berger University, Cotonous, Benin Republic