….Raises Safety Concerns, Urges Parents To Sustain Lessons At Home
The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Federal Unity Colleges has faulted resumption notices circulating on social media, saying they lack the approval of the National Body.
The Association said it cannot approve the resumption of students at this time and has advised parents to keep their children at home pending an authentic directive and assurance on safety.
The position was contained in a message to parents of Federal Government Girls College, Bwari, titled ‘Clarification on Resumption’, signed by the school’s PTA Chairman, Dr. Augustine Modu.
Modu said the association engaged the appropriate leadership of the school union and was informed that some of the information in circulation is not authentic.
He said, “We are aware of different letters purportedly signed by individuals or groups calling for the immediate resumption of school activities. However, after engaging with the appropriate leadership of our school union, we have been informed that some of the information currently circulating is not authentic and does not have the approval of the National Body.”
On the PTA’s position, he stated that the association cannot approve or encourage resumption at this time.
“In view of the above, the PTA cannot approve or encourage the resumption of our students at this time. Our primary responsibility remains the safety and wellbeing of our children. Until the issues surrounding the current situation are properly resolved and there is sufficient assurance regarding the safety of students and staff, we cannot guarantee that conditions are appropriate for their return to school,” he said.
Modu also advised parents to ensure their children do not lose academic time.
“We strongly encourage parents and guardians to keep their wards academically engaged while they remain at home. Parents should make use of the scheme of work already circulated and encourage students to study, revise and complete relevant academic activities.
“We recognise that the current situation has unfortunately disrupted the school calendar, and every effort should therefore be made to ensure that our children do not lose valuable academic time,” he added.
He further asked parents to remain on standby for a possible short-notice resumption, while apologising for the inconvenience.
“As earlier communicated, parents are advised to keep their wards fully prepared for resumption, as the eventual notice to resume may be issued at short notice once the situation is appropriately resolved. We sincerely regret the inconvenience, uncertainty and adjustments this unfortunate development may have caused families,” he said.
He urged parents to disregard unverified messages on social media, saying, “Please rely on official communications from the PTA and appropriate school authorities and avoid acting on unverified messages circulating on social media or WhatsApp platforms. The safety and educational wellbeing of our children remain our collective priority.”
The PTA position comes as parents of students in the 117 Federal Unity Colleges across the country expressed sadness over the continued closure of the schools, days after news of a resolution of the King’s College concession dispute.
Recall that teachers in all Unity Colleges were asked to return to the classroom after the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) announced it was putting its industrial action on hold following a conciliatory meeting held on September 17, 2026, between the Federal Ministry of Education and organised labour.
The workers, including a large number of teachers, had embarked on the action to oppose the planned concession of King’s College, Lagos and to press other demands.
ASCSN had stated that the concession would be stepped down for two weeks to allow for wider consultation, with a seven-member committee drawn from the ministry, organised labour, the King’s College Old Boys Association and the Federal Ministry of Labour expected to submit its report within two weeks.
But despite the announcement by the Secretary-General of ASCSN, Comrade Gamaliel Acho, directing members to suspend the action, parents said schools were yet to resume.
One of the parents, Paul Nze who spoke with THE WHISTLER, said he travelled from Anambra State with his daughter thinking that the school would resume as scheduled.
Nze, whose daughter is a student of FGGC Bwari, said he has been in Abuja for a week waiting.
“My job transferred me to Anambra State. So, my family had to go with me to Anambra except my girl, Chineme who is in school here. So after she spent long break with us, I have to bring her back to school. I have stayed for one week now and my employers are calling me to come back to work. I don’t really know what is happening, “he said.
Another parent, Mrs Mide Oluwale, whose son is in FGGC Abaji, said she has tried to get updates from their PTA WhatsApp group, but the responses were not encouraging.
THE WHISTLER gathered that several Unity Schools including FGBC Apo; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGC Warri; FGGC Sagamu; FGGC Bwari and FGC Onitsha, have directed parents and guardians to keep their children at home until further notice.
Meanwhile, the confusion has been worsened by conflicting signals from the Federal Ministry of Education and a rival bloc within ASCSN.
The Ministry, in a September 18 memo to principals with reference number FME/DSSE/SH/S.701/C.I/I and titled “Re: Resumption for 2026/2027 Academic Session,” signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, had directed that academic activities should resume on Sunday, September 20, claiming an agreement had been reached with labour unions.
However, a separate directive allegedly emanating from a different bloc within ASCSN led by Shehu Mohammed with its Secretary General, Joshua Apebo, insists that the industrial action continues and has instructed its members in all 117 Unity Colleges to sustain the shutdown, faulting the September 17 meeting as not reflecting an agreement with the authentic leadership.
This internal leadership tussle has further complicated compliance, as many teachers and non-teaching staff say they will only act on directives from the leadership they recognise.
