EDUCATION: A MIRROR OF THE SOCIETY : 2013

BREAKING ASUU ?

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A handful of university managements seems to be having enough of the over four months old ASUU strike and are taking steps at breaking the ranks of their university's ASUU members. <br />
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This has become obvious following calls for resumption of academic activities by at least three (3) university managements, which has largely been heeded by both lecturers and students. In all instances of call for resumption, hardline ASUU members of the respective universities have condemn their management's action to unilaterally call-off their ASUU chapter's strike without regards for and permission of the union's National Executive Council.</div>
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At Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, where the management called off the lingering ASUU strike with an alleged support of "70%" of the university's lecturers, the ASUU Chairman Dr. Aliyu Badeggi described the directive of Vice Chancellor Prof Ibrahim Kolo as mischievous. He said there was no decision on the strike from the NEC and there is no way IBBU would pull out of the action it was a party to.</div>
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He was quoted as saying “How can IBBU pull out of the strike when the NEC has not ordered it should be called off? You should have known that the Vice Chancellor is being mischievous and playing to the gallery. There is no final decision on resumption because we voted to be part of the strike and we will remain a party to the action, until NEC meeting decides we should resume. So, don’t believe what the management has said; IBBU is in full strike.”</div>
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Just like his counterpart at IBB University, Prof. Gab Agu, the ASUU chairman of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) also protest the call for resumption by the university management. A statement by Prof. Agu, in Enugu on Sunday read :</div>
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<br />"The union's attention was drawn to the announcement by authorities that students would resume academic activities on Monday. The academic staff of ESUT dissociates itself from the above announcement. While ASUU-ESUT mourns the demise of Prof. Festus Iyayi, a former President of ASUU, it awaits the directive of the NEC on the ongoing strike.”</div>
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<br />At both universities, academic activities appear to have largely  commenced, though, lecturers flaunting their union's order are being queried by their respective union's chapter. At ESUT, four professors spearheading the management's interest for an end to the strike were queried by the chapter's executive. According to the chairman : </div>
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“Four professors are involved and we have issued them with queries and when they reply, we know the next action to take. We are forwarding the query to ASUU national, so that next time people should not arrogate to themselves what is not their duty. Nobody sent them. They don’t have the mandate of ASUU.” </div>
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<br />Also following in the steps of ESUT and IBBU is the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko<br />
(AAUA) in Ondo State which also recently announce a resumption date for its students in effect, pulling out of the nationwide strike of ASUU. In a statement issued and signed by its Registrar, R.B Olotu, the school ordered its students to resume for the second semester on November 25th, 2013.<br />
The statement reads :</div>
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<br />“All Students of AAUA are hereby informed that academic activities of the 2nd semester of 2012/2013 session truncated as a result of the ASUU national strike are to resume on Monday, 25th November, 2013 with the continuation of registration on the University portal, while lectures are to start on Mon, 2nd December, 2013."<br />
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Its yet unknown how many more universities will for suits in the near future as the strike appears to be unending. </div>
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BREAKING ASUU ?

A handful of university managements seems to be having enough of the over four months old ASUU strike and are taking steps at breaking t...

NSCIA CONDEMN'S NERDC EDUCATION POLICY

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The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA) has reacted to the revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) set to be implemented in the next academic session for both primary and junior schools across the country, according to the council's publicity secretary, the new curriculum if implemented would deprive children their right to receive religious knowledge. The council called for immediate reversal of the policy, stating that, the action is ill-advised and unacceptable :</div>
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“The new curriculum which relegates Islamic Studies/ Christian Religious Studies (IS/CRS) to a part of a subject (up to Junior Secondary School) and which made the subjects optional at the Senior Secondary level be reversed so that the two are made independent, core and compulsory up to the Senior Secondary level,” </div>
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According to Nigeria Education Research and Development Council (NERDC), some subjects have been merged into a single subject - <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.akomst.blogspot.com/2013/11/basic-education-curriculum-revised.html?m=1">read summary here</a> - in the revised BEC in effort to reduce the number of subject offering by students from about 13-15 subjects to between 6-10 subjects.<br />
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The merger of Islamic Studies, Christian Religious Studies, Civic Education and Social Studies subjects into a new subject, Religion and National Studies (RNS) now appear to be controversial. </div>
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NSCIA CONDEMN'S NERDC EDUCATION POLICY

The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA) has reacted to the revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) set to be implemented i...

BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVISED, COMBINES ISLAMIC STUDIES AND CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

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The first Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) was produced and distributed nationwide in 2007. Its nationwide implementation commenced in Primary 1 and JSS 1 classes in September of 2008 under the banner of Universal Basic Education (UBE). However, a review of the curriculum because paramount in order to address new development in the education and political landscaped of the country, in specific, is the subject offering overload of the 2007 BEC. The 2007 BEC listed 20 subjects, of which students are expected to offer a minimum of 12 and 15 subjects in primary and junior secondary schools respectively. Recommendations by education stakeholders however suggested a reduction of subject offering to between 6 and 13 subjects.</div>
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The NERDC hence had the mandate to review the 2007 BEC, and the review process commenced in 2011. After consultations and meetings with stakeholders and policy makers in the education sector, NERDC produced the first revised BEC which was approved for use in Nigerian schools by the National Council on Education (NCE) at its 59th meeting held between  24th and 28th of June, 2013. </div>
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The revised curriculum implementation will commence September 2014, as approved by NCE.<br />
Unlike the present structure of the 2007 BEC, which comprises of 20 subjects’ listings, the reviewed basic education curriculum comprises of a ten (10) subjects framework.</div>
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The Framework identifies and groups related disciplines, thereby achieving a reduction in subject listings. For instance, Pre-Vocational Studies is a new subject that combines Home Economics and Agricultures, while Religion and Nationals Values (also a new curriculum subject) combined Islamic Studies, Christian Religious Studies, Social Studies, Civic Education, and Security Education.</div>
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Summary of New Subject Listing in Revised Curriculum </h3>
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Primary 1-6</h4>
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English Studies<br />
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Mathematics<br />
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Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language i.e of the immediate community)<br />
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Basic Science and Technology (BST) combinations of Basic Science, Basic Technology, Physical & </div>
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Health Education and Information Technology.<br />
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Religion and National Values (RNV) which combines Christian Religious Studies / Islamic Studies, </div>
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Social Studies, Civic Education and Security Education.<br />
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Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)<br />
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Arabic Language  (Optional)<br />
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French Language : primary 4-6<br />
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Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS) : primary 4-6</div>
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NOTE</h4>
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A minimum of 6 subjects; Maximum of 7 subjects is reguired for primary 1-3 while a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 9 subjects are required for primary 4-6. Separate classes should be run for Christian Religious Studies theme and Islamic Studies theme of RNV.</div>
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JSS 1-3</h3>
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English Studies</div>
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Mathematics<br />
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Nigerian Languages (One Nigerian Language)<br />
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Business Studies <br />
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Basic Science and Technology (BST)<br />
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Pre-Vocational Studies (PVS)<br />
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Religion and National Values (RNV)<br />
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Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA) <br />
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French Languages<br />
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Arabic Language (Optional)</div>
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NOTE</h4>
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A minimum of 9 subjects; Maximum of 10 subjects. Separate classes should be run for Christian Religious Studies theme and Islamic Studies theme of RNV.</div>
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Implications </h3>
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The new curriculum certainly holds many challenges to its implementation. Firstly, the production of standard textbooks for the revised/combined subjects and selection of relevant contents from bulk of content in the now old contents. Secondly, availability of specialized teachers for these subjects. Thirdly, availability of resources for teaching the subjects, particularly in the rural schools. And lastly, its slow/partial implementation, particularly due to the cost to procure book, materials and infrastructures in both private and public schools.</div>
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BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVISED, COMBINES ISLAMIC STUDIES AND CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

The first Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) was produced and distributed nationwide in 2007. Its nationwide implementation commenced in Pri...

TOEFL AND GRE TESTING SUSPENDED IN NIGERIA.

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Sad news for potential candidates of the upcoming TOEFL test in Nigeria as the testing in Nigeria has been suspended indefinitely. TOEFL made the announcement on its <a href="http://www.ets.org/toefl">website</a> citing insecurity in Nigeria for its decision, the statement read</div>
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"Due to security concerns in Nigeria, GRE® and TOEFL® testing in the country has been suspended for an indefinite period. Candidates who have appointments to take the TOEFL or GRE Tests will be contacted by ETS to process a refund."<br />
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Some commentators have however attribute suspension of testing to the "colossal malpractices" taking place in the numerous testing centres scattered around the country. TOEFL decision to suspend testing would now force Nigerians to take the test abroad, particularly in a neighboring country as Ghana. <br />
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TOEFL is an English-language test often taken as a test of proficiency and use of English mostly in countries where English isn't spoken or used as a second language. For many institutions, TOEFL score is used to satisfy admission and visa requirements, which is why this decision is a blow to Nigerians seeking admissions into universities abroad such as in UK, Australia and USA. </div>
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TOEFL AND GRE TESTING SUSPENDED IN NIGERIA.

Sad news for potential candidates of the upcoming TOEFL test in Nigeria as the testing in Nigeria has been suspended indefinitely. TOEFL m...

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STUDY ONLINE FOR A CERTIFICATE AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY FREE OF CHARGE !

edX is an online education platform founded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University in May 2012 to host ...

ASUU STRIKE : UNIVERSITIES MAY REMAIN CLOSED AFTER ASUU STRIKE IS CALLED OFF - UNIONS WARNED !

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The Non Teaching Staff in Nigeria universities under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union of<br />
Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists(NAAT), and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is advising the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreements it entered with the unions and simply not the MoU it signed with ASUU. A joint statement titled  ‘Our stand on the on-going ASUU strike’, was released to journalists by the unions. It read :<br />
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“We sympathise and solidarise with our sister union, ASUU over their long drawn struggle for the welfare of their members. We urged the government to build more confidence in governance, at all times, by respecting agreements it freely enters into with unions. However, we caution that any settlement of the current dispute must take into account the interests of all the university-based unions (NAAT, SSANU, NASU and ASUU). The three Non-Teaching Staff Unions of NAAT, SSANU and NASU are opposed to any extraneous demands by either ASUU or any group in the university which are prejudicial to the welfare of our members. Our stand is that government should jettison the so called ASUU’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and concentrate on full implementation of the 2009 FGN/Unions agreements which border on staff conditions of service and welfare, and increased funding to universities. The MOU being referred to by ASUU is for their selfish end and it is bound to generate more crises in the university sub-sector. The Non-Teaching Staff Unions in<br />
the universities will stoutly resist any attempt to sell the universities to ASUU."<br />
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The unions therefore warned of a relay strike action capable of paralysing the university system even for a longer duration if only the ASUU's MoU was honored. <br />
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”All university based unions signed agreements in 2009 with the government, it is therefore advised that all contentious issues in all the agreements be settled holistically to avoid a ‘relay race’ in strike actions in the universities. The implementation of any union’s MOU should not come in between<br />
the period of implementation of signed agreements rather, such items in the MOU should wait to be re-negotiated in another agreement(s).” The statement read.</div>
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ASUU STRIKE : UNIVERSITIES MAY REMAIN CLOSED AFTER ASUU STRIKE IS CALLED OFF - UNIONS WARNED !

The Non Teaching Staff in Nigeria universities under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU...

ASUU CRISIS : MARK RESULT TO BLAME GAME

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The Senate President, David Mark, while ruling on a motion in the Senate alleged that the incompetency and ignorance of the Federal Government Re-negotiation Team who signed the 2009 agreement between it and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) ,was the reason for the on-going shut down of public universities in the country.  Mr. Mark said ASUU simply took<br />
advantage of the ignorance of those who were sent and “just allowed this agreement to go on because it is obvious that this is going to be a very difficult piece of paper to implement.”</div>
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“They found out that those who were sent there simply didn’t know their right from their left and they just went ahead.’’ In his assertion, Senator Mark further said  "Listening to the agreement that was signed by the Federal Government, I was really wondering whether this was signed or it was just a proposal, but it was signed ! It only shows the level of people the executive sent to go and negotiate on their behalf because abinitio, people must be told the truth, what can be accomplished and what cannot be accomplished,’’</div>
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It would be recalled that on Thursday, 14th December, 2006, both FG and ASUU entered into negotiation in a bid to reverse the falling standard of the education sector. The then Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), inaugurated the FGN/ASUU Re-negotiation Committee comprising the FGN Re-negotiation Team led by the then Pro-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Deacon Gamaliel O. Onosode, OFR, and the ASUU Re-negotiation Team  led by the then President of ASUU, Dr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano.</div>
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The alleged incompetent and ignorant Government Re-negotiation Team at the negotiations include <br />
Deacon Gamaliel O. Onosode, OFR as Team Leader and Prof. Musa Abdullahi (Deceased), Prof. Greg Iwu, OON Rev. Father T. E. Uwaifo, Barrister Emeka  Nwankpa, Amb. Muh. Adamu Jumba, Prof. Mahmood. Yakubu and Senator Abdalla Wali as members.<br />
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There were also representative from Ministries of Education, Justice, Labour,Finance as well as representative from the presidency and NUC at all the negotiations. The outcome of the negotiation (2009 FG/ASUU Agreement) which was duly signed by both parties was to be effective from 1st of January 2009, but was however 'shelved' by the FG until recently after ASUU called a general strike to force the government to implement the agreement. </div>
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ASUU CRISIS : MARK RESULT TO BLAME GAME

The Senate President, David Mark, while ruling on a motion in the Senate alleged that the incompetency and ignorance of the Federal Govern...

HIGHLIGHTS OF FG/ASUU 2009 AGREEMENT

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MANDATE</h3>
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Before the commencement of the negotiation both parties representatives (FGN and ASUU) affirmed that they had the MANDATE of their   respective PRINCIPALS to (Re)negotiate. </div>
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ISSUES FOR RE-NEGOTIATION </h3>
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Both Teams agreed that the following issues will form the agenda and focus for the Re-Negotiation: <br />
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(a) Conditions of Service <br />
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(b) Funding <br />
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(c) University Autonomy and Academic Freedom  <br />
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(d) Other Matters</div>
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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE</h3>
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<em>Salary Structure for Academic Staff in Nigerian Universities</em></h4>
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Both team agreed to a salary structure for academic staffs which is to be known as Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure II (CONUASS II), CONUASS II is made up of the following three components:  <br />
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(a) The Consolidated Salary Structure for Academic Staff (CONUASS)    approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) effective 1st    January 2007 (FGN Circular SWC/S/04/S.309/1, dated 18th January,    2007). <br />
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(b) Consolidated Peculiar University Academic Allowances (CONPUAA), exclusively for university teaching staff and derived from allowances not adequately reflected or not consolidated in CONUASS.    <br />
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(c) Rent as approved by the FGN effective 1st January 2007 (FGN Circular SWC/S/04</div>
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<em>Earned Academic Allowances</em></h4>
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It was agreed that entitled academic staff shall be paid the following earned allowances at the rates indicated for undertaking the listed assignments.<br />
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a.<i> Postgraduate Supervision Allowance      </i><br />
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(i) Lecturer I     N15,000 per student, per annum.<br />
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(ii) Senior Lecturer   N20,000 per student, per annum.<br />
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(iii) Reader & Professor  N25,000 per student, per annum.     </div>
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b. <i>Teaching Practice/Industrial Supervision/Field Trip</i> <i>Allowances</i>     <br />
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(i) Assistant Lecturer – Lecturer I  N60,000 per annum.<br />
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(ii) Senior Lecturer     N80,000 per annum.<br />
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(iii) Reader & Professor    N100,000 per annum.</div>
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c. <i>Honoraria for External/Internal Examiner (Postgraduate Thesis)        </i><br />
<i>External</i><br />
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(i) Master’s degree   N80,000 per thesis.<br />
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(ii) Doctorate degree  N105,000 per thesis       </div>
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<i>Internal</i><br />
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(i) Master’s degree  N45,000 per thesis.<br />
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(ii) Doctorate degree  N65,000 per thesis.</div>
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d. <i>Responsibility Allowance </i>   <br />
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Allowance shall be paid annually as follows:<br />
</div>
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i. Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Librarian    N750,000<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
ii. Provost/Dean/Director    N500,000<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
iii. Deputy/Vice/Associate Dean or Provost  N350,000<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
iv. Head of Dept./Sub Dean    N250,000<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
v. Fac./Dept. Exam Officer    N150,000<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
vi. Hall Warden      N150,000<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
vii. All other Officers     N150,000</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. <i>Excess Workload Allowance</i><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Excess Workload Allowance shall be paid as follows:    <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
i. Professor      N3,500 per hour<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
ii. Reader       N3,500 per hour<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
iii. Senior Lecturer     N3,500 per hour<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
iv. Lecturer I      N2,000 per hour<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
v. Lecturer II      N2,000 per hour</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
vi. Assistant Lecturer     N2,000 per hour<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
vii. Graduate Assistant     N2,000 per hour      University.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition, academic staffs will enjoy other benefits as part of conditions for their services, these include; housing loan, vehicle loan, vacation, maternity, research, sick and sabatical leave. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Funding of Universities </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was agreed to recommend that: a. All regular Federal Universities shall require the sum of one trillion, five hundred and eighteen billion, three hundred and thirty-one million, five hundred and forty five thousand, three hundred and four naira  (N1,518,331,545,304) only for the period 2009 -2011 as follows:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2009- N472,031,575,919<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2010- N497,531,778,701<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2011- N548,768,190,681 <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Total amount (2009-2011)- N1, 518, 331, 545, 304</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Each State University shall require three million, six hundred and eighty thousand and eighteen Naira  (N3,680,018) per student for the period 2009 – 2011 as follows:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2009- N1,144,075<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2010- N1,205,880<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2011- N1,330,063<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Total (2009-2011)- N3,680,000</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Re-negotiation Committee agreed to recommend to the relevant authorities that: <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(a) A minimum of 26% of the annual budget of the State and Federal Governments be allocated to education; <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(b) At least 50% of the budgeted 26% shall be allocated to the universities.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
University Autonomy</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Government, on its part, would ensure that in dealing with the universities, the powers of the university Governing Councils and Senates are fully respected in view of the fact that one source of friction regarding university autonomy is the role and the force of circulars emanating from Government in the operation of the Universities, which, in some cases, have been observed to conflict with statutory powers of University Councils and Senates and undermine due process and fair procedures in the operation of the Universities.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Other Matter</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The effective date of this Agreement shall be 1st July, 2009, except that the effective date for the 70 years retirement age for those academics in the Professorial cadre shall notionally be 1st January, 2009.<br />
There shall be Periodic Review of the Agreement and It was also agreed that whenever there is a general increase in public sector salaries and allowances, the remuneration of academic staff shall be correspondingly increased.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>IT WAS AGREED THAT NOBODY SHALL BE VICTIMISED IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER FOR HIS/HER ROLE IN THE PROCESS LEADING TO THIS RE-NEGOTIATION AND AGREEMENT</b>.</div>
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 </div>
</div>

HIGHLIGHTS OF FG/ASUU 2009 AGREEMENT

MANDATE Before the commencement of the negotiation both parties representatives (FGN and ASUU) affirmed that they had the MAND...

ASUU Strike May End Soon

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Towards ending the ongoing ASUU strike, the Federal Government has committed to spending N200 billion in the 2014 budget on the universities as well as on each of the next three-four years until the universities are brought to world-class standard.  This is in addition to the N100 billion dedicated and already made available for 2013.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The government has also increased to N40 billion as a first installment, funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers, an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This information is contained in an internal Federal University of Otuoke statement by Professor Bolaji Aluko, its Vice-Chancellor, seen on Wednesday night by Sahara Reporters.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the earned allowances, he explained, “Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC,” the circular said. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Professor Aluko said the development followed meetings on September 19 and Oct 11 of representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU and ASUU Representatives led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of great interest to stakeholders, Vice-President Sambo, appealing to ASUU to call off the strike, apologized for the "take-it-or-leave-it"; comments credited to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the onset of the strike.  The Minister did not seem to have been involved in either meeting, perhaps as the government’s way of soothing the feelings of the university teachers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other points of agreement at the meetings include the following:</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Project Prioritization </h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
TETFund Intervention</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Project Monitoring</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Blueprint</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.<br />
Prof. Aluko further stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemize the full issues on which the consensus he had outlined here, as brokered by AVCNU, was reached.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://mobile.saharareporters.com/news-page/asuu-strike-government-blinks-agrees-spend-n200b-each-four-years-bring-nigerian-universiti">Culled from Sahara Reporters </a></div>
</div>

ASUU Strike May End Soon

Towards ending the ongoing ASUU strike, the Federal Government has committed to spending N200 billion in the 2014 budget on the universiti...

Ex Education Minister Join ASUU : She's Now On Strike

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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNtB0_xiApA/UmOi-PMBSMI/AAAAAAAAADE/nuNI8EvlwY0/s1600/2013-10-18--08_53_58-picsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ASUU" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNtB0_xiApA/UmOi-PMBSMI/AAAAAAAAADE/nuNI8EvlwY0/s1600/2013-10-18--08_53_58-picsay.jpg" title="ASUU logo" width="184" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Prof. Rufai says it is now unfair to ask her to speak on the strike. The immediate past Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, who was sacked from the federal cabinet last month, has joined the ongoing strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, which she desperately tried to break while in office.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After she was relieved of her duty she had indicated that she would return to teaching at Bayero University Kano, BUK </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I plan to go back to my university, I am a professor of education in curriculum studies and I will report on Monday and then take a brief leave to have a kind of rest, but I am going back to the university,” she said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On whether she would join the ASUU strike, which she was negotiating away while in government, Mr Rufai, said “Don’t make me controversial, don’t make me controversial.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PREMIUM TIMES enquries at Bayero Universities, Kano, BUK where Mrs Rufai was teaching Education Curriculum before joining the Jigawa State cabinet in 2007 and later the federal cabinet in 2011, revealed that although the former minister had returned to the institution, she was yet to commence work as a result of the ongoing industrial action.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Public Relations Officer of BUK, Mustapha Zaharaddeen, told Premium Times in a telephone interview on Wednesday that the former minister had joined her colleagues in the strike.<br />
“How can she teach? She has joined the strike,” Mr. Zaharaddeen said. “She has no choice. How can anybody teach? Don’t forget, ASUU National President is from BUK.”<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When PREMIUM TIMES asked Mrs Rufai on Wednesday if she had joined the ASUU strike, she merely retorted, “It is an unfair question. Ask my university.”<br />
Efforts to reach the ASUU President, Mr. Fagge, was unsuccessful, as his mobile telephone number repeatedly indicated it had been switched off. Mrs Rufai, the first female education minister from the northern part of Nigeria, was sacked from the federal cabinet alongside eight other ministers last September 11.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other sacked ministers were Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs), Hadiza Mailaifa (Environment), Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning), Ama Pepple (Land, Housing and Urban Development), Ita Ewa (Science and Technology). Ministers of State for Defence, Power and Agriculture, Olusola Obada, Zainab Kuchi and Bukar Tijani, respectively were also relieved of their positions. Mr. Jonathan is yet to appoint their replacements.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before she was fired, Mrs Rufai, who became Education minister in 2011, was a member of the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Federal Government negotiation team, which held discussions with ASUU officials led by the Union’s President, Nasiru Fagge, who incidentally teaches at BUK.<br />
However, the government team could not make any head way in resolving the issues that led to the strike which is now entering its third month, until Mrs Rufai left government, unceremoniously.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://premiumtimesng.com/news/146741-asuu-strike-failing-resolve-crisis-ex-education-minister-ruqayyatu-rufai-joins-strike.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=asuu-strike-failing-resolve-crisis-ex-education-minister-ruqayyatu-rufai-joins-strike">Culled from Premium Times </a></div>
</div>

Ex Education Minister Join ASUU : She's Now On Strike

Prof. Rufai says it is now unfair to ask her to speak on the strike. The immediate past Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Ruf...

TETFUND or TETFRAUD : ASUU REPORT

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) formerly Education Trust Fund (ETF) is a product of a challenge posed to ASUU by Government in the early 90s. Government then challenged ASUU to propose ‘other’ viable sources of generating funds that could be used to save tertiary education in the country through interventions and extra budgetary supports. ASUU worked out a detailed policy formulation and managerial structure of ETF (TETFund) which formed part of FGN/ASUU Agreement of 1992.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although at its initial conception, the ETF intervention was intended to be a special intervention in Tertiary Education only, the Military government enlarged its scope to cover all levels of Education – Primary, Secondary and Higher Education. The intervention of the ETF did not make the intended significant changes in the education system at any level. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2011, the ETF Law was repealed. The <strong>Tertiary Education Trust Fund</strong> (Establishment Act, etc.) Act was enacted as a transformative intervention agency for rehabilitation, restoration, and consolidation of the tertiary education in Nigeria While TETFund had been making visible impact in supporting tertiary education, we wish to draw the attention of the public, who are the real owners of the Fund, that recent subterranean attempts by government to make TETFund the main funding agency for Tertiary Education, rather than an intervention agency, will not be acceptable to ASUU.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This attempt had manifested itself in the manner in which the 12 new Federal Universities are being funded. The approach that government chose to adopt, in violation of the TETFund Act, had opened a floodgate of series of illegalities and fraud going on under the cover of funding the new universities. We list some of these below: <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>1</u></strong>. After the take-off grant of (N1.5b) was given to each of the <strong>12 new Universities</strong> from TETFund another 2 billion Naira (from TETFund through the National Universities Commission, NUC) was allocated to each of them to finance the provision of “critical infrastructure in their permanent sites”. This is a clear affront to the TETFund act, as the fund is supposed to intervene in supporting existing tertiary institutions not establishing new ones. At any rate, we ask - since TETFund is for both State and Federal Universities, will the same gesture be extended to State Governments that will want to establish new universities? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ever since their establishment, these Universities have received no funding from anywhere except TETFund. The only exception was another violation: the use of the University Stabilisation Fund to settle Personnel Cost of the new Universities. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>2</u></strong>. Hostel Development Grant of N2bn was made to each of the 12 new Universities. None of these Universities has seen a kobo of this money. The money was given to NUC to administer. This is a gross violation of the <strong>TETFund Act</strong> as well as a violation of the subsisting operation procedure in the University System. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Monies meant for Universities are sent to Universities and not to regulatory agencies. NUC, as a regulatory agency, has no business collecting monies for Universities. Worse still, NUC is now serving as a Tenders Board for the Universities. NUC now awards contracts and sends contractors to the new Universities . This is illegal. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>3</u></strong>. Over Inflation of Contracts. To put salt to injury, the contracts being awarded on behalf of these new Universities, by the NUC are ridiculously over-inflated. Take for instance the issue of students hostels, (N1.2 billion or thereabout of the N2billion is supposed to be for hostel project while the balance of N800 million or thereabout to be used for ICTcentre and administrative buildings), 140 rooms; 560 bed spaces (4 bed spaces per room) are being constructed in each of these 12 new Federal Universities by NUC at the cost of 1.2 billion naira. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This puts the cost of each bed space at 2.143 million naira and each room at 8.571 million naira. This is ridiculous and beyond imagination. And all these are done with TETFund money. Funds meant to support our decaying tertiary institution, are fraudulently being siphoned through over-inflated, misprioritised and illegal contracts, while the regular allocation to other institutions is thinning out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<strong><u>4</u></strong>. Micro-teaching Laboratory Grant to Colleges of Education. This is similar fraud to the hostel development by NUC. N12billion was taken from TETFund in the name of micro-teaching laboratories. But none of the benefitting institutions received a thin dime. All the monies were allocated to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), through the Ministry of Education. NCCE is another regulatory agency that is not supposed to be a beneficiary of TETFund grant. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A one-hall match-box structure that is supposed to be a multimedia-aided teaching laboratory is being constructed in each of the 58 Colleges of Education (COEs) at the cost of 200 million naira each! NCCE has also transformed itself into a Tenders Board for COEs and awarding contracts on behalf of the colleges and spending TETFund intervention that is supposed to go directly to the colleges. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the project of providing the micro-teaching laboratories to COEs is a relevant one, the process is in crass violation of the TETFund Act. The inflation of the contract is ridiculously fraudulent. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>5</u></strong>. First Class Scholarship Grant. The use of over One billion naira from TETfund and PTDF (with over 600million naira taken from TETFund) to sponsor First Class Graduates who are not staff of tertiary institutions to study in foreign universities. This, again, violates Section 7 of the TETFund Act. The second reason is that the monies are also sent to a regulatory agency, the NUC, to administer (even when there is a federal scholarship office in the Ministry of Education).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
It is imperative to call on the Ministry of Education, the Board of TETFund and the management of TETFund to respect the Act of the Fund. Every operation and transaction must be guided, strictly, by the provisions of the Act. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
ASUU will not fold its arms and watch as some opportunistic bureaucrats and politicians take advantage of the absence of a Board or substantive Executive Secretary for the Fund to desecrate and bastardise the Fund. ASUU will never allow anyone to reverse the little gains made since the end of the infamous era of-impunity in the ETF in the Obasanjo era. We will never allow TETFund to be destroyed. Subsequently, we wish to call on the Federal Government to  </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<strong><u>i.</u></strong> Immediately halt the fraud going on at TETFund, Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission, investigate the perpetrators and bring them to justice. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>ii</u></strong>. Direct the Board to ensure that all monies meant for Universities and other Tertiary Institutions are released to the Institutions, and not to regulatory agencies. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>iii</u></strong>. Direct the Board to ensure that the 2013 TETFund budget allocations, approved over six months ago, be implemented as approved.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>iv</u></strong>. Ensure that TETFund commences the release of the 2013 Regular and Special interventions to all benefitting institutions. And this must not be mixed-up with the SOS intervention arising from the implementation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement</div>
</div>

TETFUND or TETFRAUD : ASUU REPORT

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) formerly Education Trust Fund (ETF) is a product of a challenge posed to ASUU by Government in...

ASUU Strike: More Than 100 Days After…

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Tuesday last week marked exactly 100 days that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began an indefinite strike that has shut down all the public universities in our dear country, Nigeria.<br />
Unfortunately, there seems to be no headway in the negotiations to resolve the crisis, going by the rhetoric of the zonal coordinator, Benin zone of ASUU, Dr. Ighalo Sunny. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While noting that the union appreciates the interest shown by various stakeholders in the crisis, he said, rather ominously: “But that will not stop us from finding lasting solution to the decay in our education sector. So, even if it takes us another 10 years, we will remain at home until the right thing is done.”<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instructively, the Federal Government believes it has already done enough to make ASUU call off its strike. In the course of his media chat on the eve of the country’s 53rd Independence anniversary two weeks ago, President Goodluck Jonathan indeed alleged that politics had crept into ASUU’s industrial action.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The President noted that he does not control the resources of the states and wondered why lecturers in state universities are also on strike over a matter that had to do with demands on the federal government.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While there may be no statistical measure of the cumulative damage done to the system in the course of the current ASUU strike that is now in its fourth month, it is evident that education, the bedrock of any society, has become a huge joke in our country. Incessant industrial actions have combined with inadequate attention to damage, almost beyond repairs, our institutions of higher learning.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Strike actions are sometimes justified by the fact that government officials, both at state and federal levels, have acquired a reputation for responding to issues only when they have assumed crisis proportions.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The present ASUU strike, for instance, shows no marked shift from tradition. The union and the government agreed on certain terms by arbitration, through the Gamaliel Onosode Panel, as far back as 2009. One of the major demands of the university teachers, besides the issue of emoluments, was the need for increased sectoral allocation to education in the annual budget to meet the minimum standard as enunciated by UNESCO.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The frustrating state of implementation of the agreements freely entered into, as well as the resort to strike, was aptly captured by ASUU President, Dr Nasir Fagge, when he said: “If we fold our arms, the system would die anyway. So, it is better to do something. It is because we have been going on strike intermittently that we have a system in the country”.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the lecturers may have a point, it is also a fact that they are fast losing credibility in the eyes of several Nigerians. In the present trade dispute, as we had occasion to point out recently, ASUU is putting premium on personnel entitlements and welfare issues.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yet the union has rarely been heard in demanding performance from its members as part of the contract with the nation. Even when we hold government accountable for the current state of the educational system, ASUU has not done itself any favour by its constant recourse to the strike option at the slightest excuse.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is also clear that most of the university lecturers, especially the very active ASUU members and officials, do not improve themselves intellectually as serious scholars.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is therefore no surprise that no university in Nigeria is ranked among the world’s first 500. Even within the continent, the dismal performance of our universities is better appreciated by the large number of Nigerians trooping to neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region to earn degrees. There is an urgent need to resolve the current crisis, so that our public universities can reopen and students go back to the classrooms. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every day they are shut out of school exposes them to the danger of ultimately not being useful to themselves and to the larger society. While ASUU remains adamant with reference to the agreement under dispute, the rot it is also nurturing by virtue of incessant strikes should also not be lost on the lecturers.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.osundefender.org/?p=126531">Source</a></div>
</div>

ASUU Strike: More Than 100 Days After…

Tuesday last week marked exactly 100 days that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began an indefinite strike that has shut do...

OPON IMO WINS UN AWARD IN ESTONIA

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World Summit Award (WSA) Out of 461 entries nominated from 100+countries. 17 Grand Jury members converged for three days in the city of Tallinn, Republic of Estonia, Northern Europe to judge and choose winners for 2013 WSA Summit Awards.<br />
Under the category of e-Learning and Education, OPON IMO entry from NIGERIA, State of Osun, emerged above all others to win this e-Content Creativity competition.<br />
WSA is a global initiative within the United Nations framework which gives awards every two years to outstanding e-content.<br />
<a href="http://www.osundefender.org/?p=119679">Source</a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ld4NO7XILXA/UlrZe6K6qII/AAAAAAAAACw/H22F6-ulhUs/s1600/1289688_Opon-Imo_jpg9fcd1f0b996b44421abbcf44903e5518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="266" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ld4NO7XILXA/UlrZe6K6qII/AAAAAAAAACw/H22F6-ulhUs/s640/1289688_Opon-Imo_jpg9fcd1f0b996b44421abbcf44903e5518.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div>
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OPON IMO WINS UN AWARD IN ESTONIA

World Summit Award (WSA) Out of 461 entries nominated from 100+countries. 17 Grand Jury members converged for three days in the city of Ta...

ASUU Strike: Negotiation ends in deadlock

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Negotiations between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU) over the on-going strike by members of the union ended in a deadlock in Abuja yesterday. Speaking to journalists after the meeting which lasted several hours, the Governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam who is Chairman of the Needs Assessment Implementation Committee set up by the Federal Government stated that President Goodluck Jonathan had pledged to commence release of N100 billion for the infrastructural development of the universities from the beginning of September.<br />
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He further stated that due process for the release of the funds to execute the identified projects in all federal universities across the country had already started. Said he: ” Among the infrastructures that would be provided are chairs, classrooms, laboratories , libraries and student hostels. There would also be renovation of existing infrastructures and execution of fresh projects.”<br />
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He further stated that ASUU leaders were members of the Needs Assessment Committee adding that they had agreed with resolutions on how to address the infrastructural decay in federal universities. </div>
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On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim stated that the Federal Government delegation and ASUU had almost agreed on all disputed issues adding that the only outstanding one was that of earned allowances of academic staff of federal universities.<br />
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He further stated that even though ASUU had demanded for the release of N87 billion to settle the outstanding allowances, the Federal Government had agreed to disburse the sum of N30 billion to all the universities.<br />
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Said he: “However, we cannot determine what is owed individual lecturers in different universities. Hence we have agreed that councils of various universities should determine how much teachers in the various institutions are owed”.<br />
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However, the President of ASUU Dr. Nasir Fagge in his own remarks said that the union still insisted that the Federal Government should implement the 2009 agreement reached between both parties.<br />
Said he: “If you remember our objective for going on strike was to get government to implement the 2009 ASUU/ Federal Government agreement, particularly the memorandum of understanding we reached.<br />
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I want to say that at today’s (yesterday’s) meeting, we looked at all the issues in that MOU and it is clear to us that the Governor Suswam committee that is working on the funding requirement for rehabilitating the university system based on the implementation of the needs assessment report; it is clear to us that that we have not really gone far in that aspect.<br />
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Secondly, remember in our earlier discussion, we said there are other aspects of the agreement that were referred to either the Implementation monitoring committee or the Federal Ministry of Education. We are yet to commence work on those aspects.”<br />
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He continued: “On the earned academic allowances, since the government made it clear that it doesn’t have the money to implement that aspect, we were made to understand today that government is going to consult the universities’ governing councils and then if there is any need for further meeting, we would be consulted.<br />
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So, on the basis of that, we will also go back and inform our members on this development. I think at this point, what the union is talking about is the implementation of 2009 agreement not the renegotiation of the agreement.”<br />
<a href="http://opengossipnews.com/?p=10141#comment-15199">Source</a></div>
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ASUU Strike: Negotiation ends in deadlock

Negotiations between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU) over the on-goin...

Opon Imo - Tablet of Knowledge (e-learning initiative)

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<a href="https://lh4.ggpht.com/-HAE_3ClGwpo/UlrJGlLX6lI/AAAAAAAAAB0/cWfIA0wqhQw/s640/1289687_osun-state-opon-imo_1378354144619_o_jpga147a3a13527e7763ad09c08229736c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HAE_3ClGwpo/UlrJGlLX6lI/AAAAAAAAAB0/cWfIA0wqhQw/s640/1289687_osun-state-opon-imo_1378354144619_o_jpga147a3a13527e7763ad09c08229736c8.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Government of Osun State, as part of its strategic mandate to meet the educational needs of students in Osun state commissioned a Project Management Office (PMO) to deliver a technology based learning system. </div>
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This system consists of a total of 150,000 units of provisioned android tablets to be distributed to all the pupils of senior secondary schools in the state. The name of the software solution is Opon Imo Technology Enhanced Learning Systems (OTELS). The OTELS is a stand- alone system which is installed on Android 4.0 tablets PCs. It consists of a compelling self- paced series of off-line courses, conducted in a highly interactive computer- based learning environment and synchronized to a library of relevant e-books and a testing environment.<br />
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The Government of Osun State as part of its strategic mandate to meet the educational needs of students in Osun state, commissioned delivery of 150,000 units custom based Android tablets a bundle of text books easily navigable. The tablets are packed in bear rugged weather and harsh conditions of various remote areas of Nigeria and it schools. What makes the project and the availability of tablet attractive is the archival availability of content in terms of questions for the last ten years for the senior secondary students of all 3 levels. </div>
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Hoping that the students may not be required to look for physical text books, the tablet is enriched with multimedia content including video, images, text and referential material and test questions for practice.<br />
 <a href="http://www.wsis-award.org/winner/opon-imo-tablet-knowledge-108120130905">Source</a> </div>
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Opon Imo - Tablet of Knowledge (e-learning initiative)

The Government of Osun State, as part of its strategic mandate to meet the educational needs of students in Osun state commissioned a Proj...

Christians protest merger ofschools by Aregbesola

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Christians in Osun State, especially members of the Osun Baptists Conference, on Monday protested against the attempted merger of Muslim students wearing hijab with the Baptists High School, Iwo, under the new education policy introduced by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. </div>
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Aregbesola last week inaugurated a new education policy in Osun, which the governor said had necessitated re-classification and merger of public schools in the state to reflect the new education system. The governor, who expressed worry about the protest, however, urged the people to cooperate with the school restructuring, saying the policy was introduced as part of transformation of the education sector by his government. </div>
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<a href="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-hnw03Dr_BNc/Ulj-WYmxiNI/AAAAAAAAAAs/a_o4apqOou4/s640/Protest1-360x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="christian, osun, baptist schoola" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hnw03Dr_BNc/Ulj-WYmxiNI/AAAAAAAAAAs/a_o4apqOou4/s640/Protest1-360x225.jpg" title="Christians protest in osun" width="320" /></a>Aggrieved Christians armed with Holy Bible and Hymn books trooped to the Baptists High School as early as 7:30am and dislodged the students and prevented teachers from entering the school premises. They said that the merger of the schools, if allowed to succeed, would obliterate the Baptist heritage and that they would not allow hijab-wearing students in a school founded by Christian missionaries. </div>
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The Christian protesters defied the presence of armed security operatives and insisted that they would not allow the merger to work. Presiding minister for the 35 Baptist churches in Iwo land, Rev. Bayo Ademuyiwa, said the church had nothing against the government’s attempt to equip schools in the state but he said that the church would not allow any attempt to erase its identity and heritage. </div>
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He said, “Our forefathers and missionaries sacrificed their lives, resources and everything to establish schools, reputable schools with morals and values and that is why the Baptists in Iwo land are here to protect our schools. “Without any doubt, the Baptists in the state are known for excellence, decorum and dignity. These virtues are highly cherished by the Nigerian Baptist Convention and this is the reason why the Baptists are making these two submissions which are, “Baptists in Iwo land say no to merger of schools and Baptists in Iwo land say no to the use of hijab in Baptists schools. </div>
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“While we welcome genuine efforts to provide modern infrastructures and equipment in schools in Osun State, the Baptists see merger of schools as a step in the wrong direction as it will rob us of our identity and bring more pains to parents and students.” </div>
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Chairman, Osun State <strong>Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)</strong>, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, also said that CAN would not allow any programme to erase the legacy of the Church, Ogundiya said, “We have maintained this stand from inception and we will continue to defend lawfully what belong to us as Christians in the state.” </div>
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“As a major stakeholder in the state, the leadership of CAN expects the state government to invite us to discuss this issue without delay. We wish to explain it clearly that at no time did the new leadership of CAN in Osun held any meeting with the state government on the issue of merger of schools.” But the governor, in a statement by his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, allayed the fears, promising that the interest of all groups, organisations, religious and social bodies would be protected in the ongoing re-classification and reform. He urged the people of the state to discountenance and dismiss “any untrue and baseless insinuation” critics of the government might be spreading across the state.</div>
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<a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/christians-protest-merger-of-schools-by-aregbesola/" target="_blank">SOURCE</a><br />
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Christians protest merger ofschools by Aregbesola

Christians in Osun State, especially members of the Osun Baptists Conference, on Monday protested against the attempted merger of Muslim s...

EDUCATION: A MIRROR OF THE SOCIETY