The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Zone C has called out the Federal Government over its delay in addressing some of the issues affecting polytechnic education in the country, News About Nigeria reports.
The ASUP Coordinator of Zone C, Comrade Adekunle Masopa, made this known at a press briefing held at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo.
The leadership condemned an alleged undue exercise of oversight function and interference of the National Board for Technical Education concerning the admission of students into the polytechnics in the country.
The Zone comprising of South-West and Kwara State, faulted the government for remaining silent over the 15-day strike ultimatum issued last week.
The union lamented that it was unfair for the government to have kept mute since last week when the union issued the ultimatum, adding that the lecturers would not have to be blamed should they decide to embark on strike at the expiration of the ultimatum.
The Zonal Coordinator also berated the government for not showing enough support for the polytechnic education which has the mandate and capacity to drive the technological advancement of the country.
He added the union will not fold its hand and watch the collapse of this crucial sector of our national development.
He said, “The government must resume active duty and commitment to the resolutions of the tripartite meeting held in July 2024 on the 2023 reviewed scheme of service.
“There must be the immediate implementation of the 25/35 percent consequential salary adjustment in state polytechnics from January 2023 as well as payment of the one-year arrears of this salary adjustment to Federal institutions without further delay.
“ASUP requests NBTE to desist from usurping the power of statutory bodies, particularly the Academic Board, with respect to admission of students at any level. Immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears.”
