By Nchetachi Chukwuajah with Agency report
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has said public schools in the state will remain shut until the state government implements adequate security measures to avoid a recurrence of kidnap of schoolchildren and teachers.
The secretary of the union, Olukayode Salami, stated this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday, June 23.
Salami noted that the union will call off its indefinite strike and reopen schools once the government puts in place adequate security measures to restore confidence among teachers, parents, and learners.
The NUT’s position follows the recent directive for teachers in public schools to embark on an indefinite strike following the kidnap of 39 students and seven teachers in three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on May 15.
Salami said the union’s decision to withdraw teachers from classrooms was prompted by growing insecurity, including the killing of two teachers and the continued captivity of the kidnapped victims.
According to him, the development created fear, tension and psychological instability among teachers and learners, while some parents had also begun withdrawing their children from schools.
“As much as we have casualties among learners in terms of abduction, we have higher casualties among teachers because two of them were killed.
“The continuous detention of victims in captivity is another factor of concern to all of us.
“The emotion, tension and panic in society also contributed to the decision because classrooms were no longer safe and teachers were not psychologically stable to carry out their duties,” he said.
The NUT secretary noted that the union did not immediately embark on the strike after the incident but took the decision when it became apparent that the security situation had not improved sufficiently.
He said the union attached conditions to the resumption academic activities, including the safe rescue of abducted persons and the implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence.
“The condition we attached was for government to intensify efforts and ensure the safe rescue of these people.
“Secondly, government must put measures in place that can guard against such occurrences.
“No condition is permanent and no decision is permanent. Once meaningful measures are put in place, there will be a need to review the position and see how we can collectively move forward,” the secretary said.
Salami also said that schools should remain safe learning environments and not become targets of criminal activities.
“If anybody has a grievance against government, such persons should address it with government and not resort to attacking schools and innocent people who are not responsible for any offence,” he said.
According to Salami, the NUT and other stakeholders recently held marathon meetings with government officials to discuss solutions to the security challenges.
He further disclosed that a communiqué was issued after the meetings, while action plans were also developed and submitted to the government for implementation.
“We are waiting for the implementation of those action plans, especially those requiring immediate action.
“Schools and classrooms cannot remain shut forever, but we need to see signs that will restore confidence in society for us to return to work,” he said.
Salami called for increased security patrols across vulnerable parts of the state, saying such measures would reassure residents and discourage criminal activities.
He suggested the establishment of joint security task forces comprising conventional security agencies and local security outfits, including hunters and vigilante groups.
According to him, local government areas bordering forests and other vulnerable locations should have dedicated security formations carrying out regular patrols and intelligence gathering.
“If we begin to see security patrols across every nook and cranny of the state, especially vulnerable areas, it will send a signal that government is addressing the situation.
“There should be no room for criminality. Once confidence and peace of mind are restored, people will be able to go about their normal activities, including teaching and learning,” he said.
Salami, however, noted that the responsibility for providing security rests with the government, which possesses the required personnel, logistics and authority to deploy security operatives where necessary.
He urged the government to treat the issue as a matter of urgency in the interest of education and public safety.
