Schools in the FCT witnessed a polarized start to the new academic session on Monday following the declaration of a strike by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
While the secondary schools are in session, senior students were seen busy preparing for their West Africa Examination Council exams, which start tomorrow, public primary schools remained deserted.
The striking union members who took over the gates of their schools early hours of Monday morning, forced teachers and pupils from classrooms.
The Mandate Secretary for the FCT Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, who carried out an inspection tour of school resumption across the territory, expressed concern over reports that union members were forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms.
While commending an initial impressive turnout by both the primary and secondary schools visited, he noted that the progress was marred by union interference.
Hayyo explained that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has renovated over 100 schools and paid 40% of teacher entitlements last year, noting that the bulk of the union’s current grievances lie with Local Education Authorities (LEA) and Area Council Chairmen.
"How can you expect your sons and daughters to write exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out today?
"This could lead to mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule for FCT students alone," he stated.
"I don’t think constitutionally it’s right for the NUT to come and chase all the students out," Hayyo stated.
As WAEC begins tomorrow, officials fear the strike will destabilize candidates.
The principal of Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, one of the schools that have reopened, Isa Usman, confirmed that the school serves over 1,800 students, only 473 had reported by Monday.
He attributed the slow start to logistics and the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board exams, which forced many participating SS3 students away from school.
"Because it's a boarding house, when they come, we cannot send them away.
"We are taking care of them and ensuring everything is going fully for their sake," Usman stated.
