Tuesday 12 March 2013

LECTURERS STRIKE IN OSUN STATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

* AREGBESOLA MUST MEET THEIR DEMANDS NOW * WE CONDEMN POLICE BRUTAL ATTACK OF STUDENTS PROTESTING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRIKING LECTURERS AT OSCE ILESA TODAY * RELEASE THE FOUR ARRESTED STUDENTS NOW 

Press Statement

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) supports the strike action began yesterday Monday 11 March 2013 by lecturers of Osun State tertiary institutions. The strike has successfully stopped academic activities in the four state-owned tertiary institutions: Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH) Esa Oke, Osun State College of Education Ilesa and that of Ila-Orangun. 

We call on the Aregbesola government of the State of Osun to immediately meet the demands of the striking teachers so that academic activities can resume in the four institutions. Instead of engaging in empty propaganda and "white elephant" education reforms, we demand real and genuine reforms in the education sector which would see significant improvement in funding, provision of teaching facilities and employment of adequate workforce. 

We also call on the Aregbesola government to stop attacks on the striking lecturers and students solidarising with them. On Tuesday March 12, 2013 at the Osun State College of Education Ilesa, students of the institution protested in solidarity with the striking lecturers. They were however brutally dispersed with teargas by armed police. Also at least four of the protesting students have been reportedly arrested. We condemn this kind of attack on the democratic rights of protest by a government claiming to be "progressive". We demand immediate release of the four students. 

We offer our solidarity to the striking lecturers and the Council of Academic Staff Union of Tertiary Institutions leading the strike. While supporting their key demands against taxation, on the non-contribution of the state government towards the pension scheme as well as on retirement age, we call on the striking lecturers to also stand against fee hike and for adequate funding of education and for democratic management of schools. Without adequate funding of education and democratic management of schools, none of the improvement of working conditions being sought would be achieved on a lasting basis. 

We call on the lecturers not to limit the action to a mere stay-at-home strike. They should organise a series of mass activities to mobilize the support of students, parents and public, and thereby mount a sustained pressure on the government to meet their demands. 

We place the responsibility for the strike and the inconvenience being suffered by students as a result on the shoulders of the Governor Aregbesola government of the State of Osun. The striking lecturers had given ample warning with series of partial strike over the last three weeks. If the Aregbesola government was sensitive and responsible to its duties towards the education sector, this was a sufficient enough time to have met the demands of the striking unions.

 Hassan Taiwo Soweto 
National Coordinator 
07033697259

6 comments:

Green System Energy said...

We all know so far since the existing of the nation that civil service always use strike for request, to protestfor what they dislike and to fight for their right, but as a student to lecturer and as a son to his father, I want to use this medium to appeal to both sides to help us resolves the issues, becausewe all know the we students are the comers for brighter future and you know time is expensive to be wasted. Firstly to the state government of Osun, we all know that you're performing well in education aspect, but please for God's sake help usre-appeal to these lecturers to back to the classes, re invited them peace meeting, ifthe reasons are authentic, I beleive they'll reasoning to it.To my lecturers please considered us as your students and children, pleaselistening to the excuses of the state government, and try to do some findings on the excuses if it is not true and publicise it, to let people know. Please and please helpus out on this issue. GOD BLESS THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF OSUN...GOD BLESS THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE STATE OF OSUN...GOD BLESS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA....

Unknown said...

God will help us over this

bunmi said...

god will help us

seun said...

Am saying this painfully that both government and civil servant of OSUN STATE don't have good plan for their children's future. Strike is too often, every year every semester...

Unknown said...

Am really surprise these can ever happen in osun state.

jade said...

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