Is this true Oyo NUT?

I always have a dog in the constant tiff between Oyo State government and teachers in the state’s public schools. Ordinarily, subjective emotions are usually in support of the underdog, everywhere and a gross mis-match doesn’t come clearer than a governor puffing it away with traumatised “chalkers”. But would that supposition hold true in all wars between our Lording Chief Executives and street-wise, hunger-trained tutors? They, latter,  have a way of losing many battles but winning the war. If in doubt, ask former Osun Governor Bisi Akande. The teachers he tagged “asoso” (barely literate enough to teach) in 2002, told him “so so and so long” during his re-election quest in 2003. They sent him on early sabbatical. Oyo teachers also taught Ogbomoso strongman, Adebayo Alao-Akala a re-election lesson. Gabriel Suswam’s senatorial ambition after a disastrous governorship phase was mainly buried by Benue teacher reportedly owed about 19 months salaries.

Beyond underdog sentiments, I’m too related to a number of teachers in Oyo State to be neutral whenever the paroxysm of industrial acrimony which has almost become a governance index, grips the state. Beyond being parochial in appreciating the usually-muddled up issues whenever both parties go eye-ball to eye-ball, the truth is that you can only work on information in public domain. It is either the teachers are out-talking government or government isn’t “talking”. Or maybe the public is grossly one-sided but the reality is that you only get to hear the teachers and their numerous grievances, while government’s everytime back-to-the-wall defence is always marooned in the lurch.

So, anyone not giving Oyo government any chance should be excused. A mute or incoherent person or even government should not hold anyone responsible for his failings.

Would that make teachers in the state a bunch of patriots? Far from it. In fact, I usual see reckless extremism in labour populism. Labour leaders, in a bid to sustain populist appeal get irrational with demands which are detached from reality. With their members, it is see-no-evil, even when such is clearly heard.

However, fiery lawyer and Bola Igeism graduate, Chief Akintola Adeniyi SAN, appears resolved to keep speaking about the “evils” from the Oyo State teachers’ angle until they are clearly heard and seen by those who should speak against such un-Oyo conduct. Of the plenty stories he regaled me with, about Oyo teachers, three would stand out in infamy if NUT had no acceptable reasons for such conduct from its members. If you are quick to demand goodies for your own, you should be able to remonstrate with them when they make nonsense of ethics.

Is it true that teachers in Oyo State now do shift, in order to spend less on transportation, with Yoruba teacher who is on duty being forced to teach Mathematics and Chemistry to cover up for his/her colleague? Is it true that in a particular school it was discovered during an unscheduled visit by some eminent persons in the state who are on a rescue mission, that teachers sent out students to go and pick immature snails (ilakose) when teaching should be at peak period? Is it true that a school which claimed to have 33 teachers was eventually found out to have just 9, during another unscheduled visit?

These stories aren’t out of this world but in a state where the administration had been chiseled as anti-education, these issues should be a big deal. It is either teachers are in teaching business in the real sense of it or we simply embrace Wole Soyinka’s outrageous but practicable and in extreme situations, recommendable proposal, of closing all the schools down for two years for a new beginning. Of what use is a running programme without programmed benefits. Yes, university education is more about general knowledge and a well-grounded graduate should be able to teach all secondary school subjects, many would argue. I agree, only that the same adalu (muddled teaching scheme) got us where we are now. No matter, how brilliant a Yoruba graduate is, he/she will definitely struggle with the numerous Mathematical formulas. Are these heart-wrenching stories responsible for the receding educational destiny of the state? There are some home-works of my children that I keep late nights to crack after assuring them such would be ready before leaving for school the next day. There are some like French that I don’t even bother to open.

Where are the teachers of old? Those sacrificial givers of knowledge. Nothing will explain away the irresponsible conducts of government but that won’t help the cause of the teachers who are cheating everybody, especially the students.

These sad tales aren’t peculiar to Oyo State. I know of a state where teachers and students engage in awoseju (gaze-game) all day because no teaching activities would take place. Why coming at all then? I guess, to get the days counted for salary payment, whenever such would be paid. This is outrageous. In all these, I pity the pawns, the students who are being manipulated to achieve what isn’t morally defensible. NUT would do well to engage in a deep soul-searching in the state, take the rotten apples out of the basket, give its own a new orientation before engaging government in the next round of labour tango.

Eni ba ta oja erupe, yio gba owo okuta (you reap, what you sow). All my own who are cut by this admonition, should take the truth and forgive me.