Despite the directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, for teachers in the Federal Capital Territory to begin an indefinite strike today, several public schools still recorded varying levels of attendance as third-term activities officially resumed across the territory.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, who monitored resumption across several schools, appealed to the union to suspend its action, warning that the timing could jeopardize students preparing to sit for the West African Examinations Council papers scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
Hayyo said reports from the field indicated that some union members were forcing students and teachers out of classrooms, despite the resumption directive earlier issued by the Secretariat.
According to him, several schools initially recorded promising turnout before disruptions set in. “I don’t think constitutionally it’s right for the NUT to come and chase all the students out.
“How can you expect your sons and daughters to write exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out today? This could lead to mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule for FCT students alone,” he stated.
At Government Science Secondary School Maitama, academic activities resumed, though attendance remained low.
Principal of the school, Isa Usman, said the school caters to more than 1,800 students but recorded only 473 on the first day of resumption.
He attributed the shortfall to logistics barriers faced by students returning from different parts of the city and the ongoing examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, which kept many SS3 students off campus.
Because the school runs a boarding system, Usman said shutting the gates was never an option.
“Because it’s a boarding house, when they come we cannot send them away. We are taking care of them and ensuring everything is going fully for their sake,” he said.
During the monitoring exercise, Hayyo defended the administration’s record, stating that Nyesom Wike had renovated more than 100 schools across the FCT and cleared 40 percent of outstanding teacher entitlements last year.
He maintained that the bulk of the unresolved issues driving the current strike lie with Local Education Authorities and Area Council Chairmen.
The Mandate Secretary fears that if the strike persists, thousands of candidates across the territory may face unnecessary psychological pressure and academic disruption at the start of one of the most important national examinations.
He therefore urged the union to return to the negotiation table to prevent further escalation.
“I am tired of this strike. If we continue to discourage these children now, they will retaliate when they become the leaders of tomorrow. I appeal to the NUT to set aside these interests and prioritize the future of our students,” Hayyo said.
By Monday afternoon, management at GSSS Maitama said classes would continue for students already present, while many other schools across the territory remained in a state of uncertainty pending decisions by teachers and union officials.
