Adamu Adamu, minister of education, says students affected by the industrial action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) should sue the union.
The Education minister during the 47th Session of the State House Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja said ASUU should compensate students for the period wasted.
The minister was asked if the federal government has plans to compensate students affected by the industrial action.
Responding, Adamu said it is the duty of ASUU to compensate the students, not the federal government.
“We are all hit by this strike action, perhaps because students have to spend an extra one year or two, you can say, they are worst hit. If you had the chance, or the capacity to measure the effect of that on the economy, the economy is also a victim, parents are also victims,” he said.
“It’s a loss for the nation. As far as I know, JAMB will administer examinations, students will use it to process admissions into universities, nothing has changed.
Who do you assume will compensate students? The federal government? Probably you should take the leaders of strike unions to court to pay them, probably the court will award damages and then, we’ll see how they pay.”
Adamu had also said the government would not pay the university workers for the time lost. That is for the six months they are absent from work.
“I think the stand that the government has taken now, not to pay no work done, I think that’s the only thing in the hand of the government to ensure that there’s penalty for some behaviour like this,” he added.
“I believe teachers will think twice before they join strike if they know that at the end, they are not going to be paid.
"The government is not acting arbitrarily. There is a law and I believe this is going to be a strong element to deter many from going on strike.” The Minister said.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over the federal government’s failure to meet its demands bordering on the funding of universities as well as salaries and allowances of lecturers.
The union is seeking the release of revitalisation funds for universities, deployment of the University Transparency Accountability System for the payment of university lecturers; release of earned allowances among others.
Today is day 185 since the strike began. The situation has left students, parents and other stakeholders frustrated.
This minister is a joker, it clearly shows the government has no will of resolving this issue. If we can give Niger 1.4b for doing nothing & can't pay our lectures big shame.
ReplyDeleteEducation is key! They should please resolve the issues.
ReplyDelete