Tinubu’s Ministers Don’t See Education Crisis As National Concern – ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said the Federal Government does not prioritise education because its officials do not consider the sector’s problems as national concerns requiring collective responsibility.
ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, stated this during The Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday, in a virtual conversation titled “A Conversation with the ASUU President.”
Piwuna said the indifference of key government officials towards the education sector has made it difficult to achieve sustainable reforms.
According to him, members of the Federal Executive Council often view education challenges as the sole responsibility of the Minister of Education.
“Members of the government, the ministers, and chief executives do not see the problem of education as a problem that affects them.
“When ASUU declares a strike, the Minister of Finance sees it as the Minister of Education’s problem; the Minister of Science and Technology sees it the same way.
“But if the Minister of Finance understood that the country’s economic growth depends on a knowledgeable workforce, he would take the Minister of Education’s problem as his own. The same applies to other ministries,” Piwuna said.
He added that the Federal Government’s response to education issues was further hindered by ideological differences and corruption.
“We in ASUU see education as a public good, but those in government treat it as a capitalist venture, something only important if it generates profit.
“Many of them now suggest that TETFund should begin funding private universities. Even the last Chief of Staff to the President, who never did that while in government, is now a Pro-Chancellor advocating it. Self-interest and contract inflation have replaced public service. That is why TETFund has become a marketplace,” he said.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
