Oyo Teachers Say Schools Must Be Safer Before Reopening

The debate over school safety in Oyo State has moved beyond policy discussions and into the realities faced by teachers, students and parents. The question is no longer when schools will reopen, but whether classrooms can once again be considered safe places for learning.

That concern has informed the decision of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, to insist that public schools should not resume until adequate security measures are put in place across the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union directed teachers in public schools to embark on an indefinite strike following the abduction of more than 40 students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.

Speaking with NAN in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Secretary of the union, Mr Olukayode Salami, said schools might reopen once the government implements measures capable of restoring confidence among teachers, parents and learners.

Salami explained that the union’s decision to withdraw teachers from classrooms was prompted by growing insecurity, including the killing of two teachers and the continued captivity of some abducted victims.

According to him, the situation created fear, tension and psychological instability among teachers and learners, while some parents also began withdrawing their children from schools.

“As much as we have casualties among learners in terms of abduction, we have higher casualties among teachers because two of them were killed.
“The continuous detention of victims in captivity is another factor of concern to all of us.

“The emotion, tension and panic in society also contributed to the decision because classrooms were no longer safe and teachers were not psychologically stable to carry out their duties,” he said.

Salami noted that the union did not immediately embark on strike after the incident but took the decision when it became apparent that the security situation had not improved sufficiently.

He said the union attached conditions to the suspension of academic activities, including the safe rescue of abducted persons and the implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence.

“The condition we attached was for government to intensify efforts and ensure the safe rescue of these people.
“Secondly, government must put measures in place that can guard against such occurrences.

“No condition is permanent and no decision is permanent.

“Once meaningful measures are put in place, there will be a need to review the position and see how we can collectively move forward,” the secretary said.
Salami stressed that schools should remain safe environments for learning and should not become targets of criminal activities.

“If anybody has a grievance against government, such persons should address it with government and not resort to attacking schools and innocent people who are not responsible for any offence,” he said.

The union leader disclosed that the NUT and other stakeholders recently held marathon meetings with government officials to discuss solutions to the security challenges confronting schools in the state.

According to him, a communiqué was issued after the meetings, while action plans were also developed and submitted to the government for implementation.

“We are waiting for the implementation of those action plans, especially those requiring immediate action.

“Schools and classrooms cannot remain shut forever, but we need to see signs that will restore confidence in society for us to return to work,” he said.

Salami called for increased security patrols across vulnerable parts of the state, saying such measures would reassure residents and discourage criminal activities.

He also suggested the establishment of joint security task forces comprising conventional security agencies and local security outfits, including hunters and vigilante groups.

According to him, local government areas bordering forests and other vulnerable locations should have dedicated security formations carrying out regular patrols and intelligence gathering.

“If we begin to see security patrols across every nook and cranny of the state, especially vulnerable areas, it will send a signal that government is addressing the situation..
“There should be no room for criminality. Once confidence and peace of mind are restored, people will be able to go about their normal activities, including teaching and learning,” he said.

Salami, however, noted that the responsibility for providing security rests with the government, which possesses the required personnel, logistics and authority to deploy security operatives where necessary.

He urged the government to treat the issue as a matter of urgency in the interest of education and public safety.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).