ASUP Strike: Polytechnic Lecturers Vow To Continue

Polytechnic students across the country hoping to return to classes soon may have to spend more days at home. At a news conference in Kaduna, President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Dr Chibuzo Asomugha, accused the Federal Government of not showing concern over the consequences of the industrial action. He blamed the Federal Government for failing to implement four out of eleven of the union's demands which it had earlier agreed to. They include the release of the white paper on the visitations to federal polytechnics, government's implementation of CONTISS-15 (Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure) migration for lower cadres and its arrears as from 2009, Needs Assessment of public polytechnics and constitution of the Governing councils of six federal polytechnics. Asomugha, added that the union could only shift ground if Government showed serious and genuine commitment to the resolution of all contending issues. For over six months, Polytechnic students across the country have been kept out of school. The polytechnic teachers insist that they would stay away from classes until Government addresses all contending issues and take appropriate steps towards repositioning polytechnic education in the country.