VEECUBED community: ASUU strike: NASS to initiate new policies on education

Worried by the incessant strike by universities and other tertiary institutions, the National Assembly is set to initiate legislative educational policies that would regulate frequent industrial actions in Nigeria.

Senate President, David Mark, stated this at the first conference of National and State Assembly Committees on Education organized by the Senate Committee on Education.

Mark, who was represented by the Senate Minority leader, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said it was imperative that particular attention be paid to the country’s education sector which, according to him, is in serious need of transformation.

He said: “The persistent industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian universities has had huge impact on the country’s education system and there is need for the senate to initiate legislative solutions to the problem.

”Issues of educational development have been priority of government and it has called for comprehensive and sustainable policies that will deliver good standards, decent environment and cost effectiveness.”

He, however, called on the federal government and ASUU to urgently come to an agreement to call off the 84 days’ old strike.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chuwkumerije, in his goodwill message, identified poor funding and inconsistent policies as the two major challenges facing the country’s education sector.

Senator Chuwkumerije also reaffirmed the senate committee’s position on education, stating that it was central to the development and maintenance of the different sectors of the nation’s economy.