Why we refused to join NLC, TUC strike: Private schools
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos chapter, says its members did not join the indefinite labour strike because they believe that strike is not the way to get a solution.
The president of the chapter, Alaka Yusuf, said on Tuesday in Lagos that strike would also disrupt learning and students’ progress.
He said that NAPPS operated on a planned academic calendar and could not afford to lose any day.
While public primary and secondary schools were under lock on Monday and Tuesday due to labour strike, private schools were open for operations.
The nationwide strike was called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). The unions protested inclusiveness of negotiations with the federal government on a new minimum wage.
NLC and TUC have, however, suspended the strike for a week to give room for continued negotiations on a new minimum wage.
The suspension followed a meeting of the unions with federal government representatives on Monday.
Mr Alaka said, “I want to say NAPPS has been advised by our president not go on strike but to be watchful during strike. Our schools are not affected, and we must ensure that our students learn adequately.
“We believe we are helping government to bridge the gap in education. When a child is not educated or loses a day to be educated, that child has lost a lot in his or her development. For us, going on strike is not a way to get solution to the nation’s problem,” he said.
Mr Alaka said NAPPS would prefer that NLC and TUC should continue to engage the federal government in dialogue for resolution of any conflict.
“However, we expect the government, too, to reason with the citizenry and see that everything that we are doing, especially now that inflation has risen, is commensurate,” Mr Alaka said.
Adebola Olubodun, principal of Grimes International College, a private school in Suberu Oje, Alagbado, Lagos, said the school did not go on strike.
”We are in school, teaching and learning are ongoing, students will be having their test this week. For us, there is no strike,” Ms Olubodun said.
(NAN)
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