NUT strike leaves pupils idle, raises concerns over child welfare in Oyo

The indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has continued to generate concern among parents and education stakeholders over its impact on pupils and students.

Some parents and teachers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday said the prolonged closure of public schools had left many children idle, exposed to negative influences and disrupted their academic activities.

NAN recalls that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from June 1.

This was in reaction to the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, lamented what she described as the nonchalant attitude of some parents toward the future of their children.

She said some parents leave their wards unattended whilst they go to work or their stalls with the indefinite strike.

“Ignorance has led many parents to neglect their children’s future. They believe the government should do everything without them lifting a finger.

“The children are not well monitored, and some of those placed under apprenticeship are also not serious about learning the trade,” she said.

Alao described the situation as unfortunate, noting that the nation often reacts to challenges rather than taking proactive steps to address issues affecting children.

“As we pray and believe in God for the release of the abducted children, we should not forget to put measures in place to secure the future of every child,” she said.

She added that the strike came at a critical period when pupils and students were about to commence continuous assessment exercises.

According to her, the eventual resumption of schools may lead to rushed academic activities in an attempt to cover the curriculum.

“This is a collective call to action. People should be interested in mentoring children around them and engaging them meaningfully with books, sports and other productive activities so that their minds will be occupied with positive ideas rather than fraudulent ones,” she said.

Also, a parent living in the Mokola area of Ibadan, Mr Godwin Obinna, said the strike had led to many children roaming the streets while others engage in hawking products for their parents.

“My children are already worried and keep asking whether there will be no schooling again.

“I keep reassuring them that the situation is temporary and things will get better.

“This whole situation is unfair,” he said.

Obinna urged the state government to intensify efforts toward resolving the issues that led to the strike while strengthening security measures in schools.

“The government should put adequate security measures in place in schools to prevent unauthorised access,” he said.

Another parent living at Alaadorin, Yemetu area, Mrs Bolajoko Yusuf, said many children now spend their time playing football, singing and engaging in other leisure activities.

She said parents in her Yemetu neighbourhood had adopted a community approach to child supervision during the strike.

“What we do in my neighbourhood is to watch over the children and ensure they are safe because not all parents can stay at home.

“Parents usually leave instructions for their wards before going to work to play safe and avoid fighting,” Yusuf said.

Another parent, Mrs Adeola Aina, a resident in the Nalende area of Ibadan, said she enrolled her wards in a tailoring apprenticeship to keep them occupied and away from negative influences.

She, however, noted that younger children between ages three and seven who were too young for apprenticeship programmes were the worst affected by the school closure.

“They just play around while their parents leave them in the care of neighbours or sometimes alone,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Tunrayo Adeyemo, living in the Total Garden area, said her children spent most of their day playing after completing household chores.

“We are not happy that our children are at home when they ought to be in school, but there is nothing we can do about it.

“We can only pray that the abducted children are released soon,” she said. (NAN)

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