Some former students’ leaders have called on the Federal Government to honour the agreement it entered with the Academic Staff Union of Universities to save the educational sector from collapse.
The ex-students’ leaders, who spoke on Tuesday under the auspices of the Past Rivers State Students’ Leaders’ Forum, explained that though the Federal Government had continued to appeal for the understanding of the striking lecturers, it was necessary for the government to show more commitment toward resolving the problem.
Chairman of PARSLEAF, Mr. Amakiri Amakuro, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the disagreement between ASUU and the Federal Government would have been resolved if government had acted swiftly on the warning notice from the union.
Amakuro also charged ASUU, other unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions and stakeholders in the educational sector to embrace peace and return to the negotiating table with government in the interest of the country.
“We appreciate the Federal Government’s appeals for understanding and commitment to meeting ASUU’s demand. We, however, call on the Federal Government to make further commitment to honouring the agreement entered into with ASUU in order to save the educational system from total collapse.
“We also call on the leadership of ASUU to explore other means of engaging with government in drawing their attention as the option of strike is no longer fashionable and acceptable.
“If strike must be used, it should not last for more than a few hours as is the practice in developed countries. We passionately appeal to the Federal Government, ASUU and other stakeholders in the educational sector to sheathe their swords,” he said.
