Polytechnic students Condemn Ongoing Strike By ASUP, Seeks National Dialogue — The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has condemned the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), saying it has frustrated the government’s effort to end the protracted strike.
The association took the stand at its 38th Senate meeting held at the Katsina State Polytechnic. It urged both parties to resume negotiations and end the industrial action. The meeting was attended by the Students’ Union presidents and others from different polytechnics nationwide.
The session was led by the association’s Senate President, Lukman Salahudeen. He launded the Federal Government’s effort to restore peace in the North, saying security posts should be created on campuses, especially the three states where a state of emergency had been declared. He said this would forestall security breaches and curtail the activities of Boko Haram in the region.
Salahudeen said members of the National Conference should include polytechnic students, saying their representation would help in the deliberations of the group.
Members of the association appealed to the managements of polytechnics and monotechnics to increase their accommodation capacity by building more hostels. It decried the increment in tuition fees by some institutions.
The group commended the proposed Students Welfare Insurance Scheme (SWIS) by Students Enterprise Nigeria, Agric Combo and Security Verified Identity Card, noting that it would improve students’ welfare and security. It urged the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to give its consent to the implementation of the scheme.
During the meeting, members of the Constitution Review committee were appointed. They included Mustapha 2013Tijani, Nwagu Liberty, Sakis Mohammed, Usman Abdulmalik, Taiwo Babalola and Hamzarhman Ukaza.
The members visited the palace of the Emir of Daura at the end of the conference.
Source: The Nation Newspaper