The Save Public Education Campaign (SPEC) has voiced its full support for the planned strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to stand in solidarity with polytechnic lecturers. SPEC emphasized the need for swift action to address the lecturers’ demands and prevent further disruption to students’ education.
ASUP, following its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Thursday, announced a two-week warning strike starting December 2, 2024. The union cited the government’s failure to meet longstanding demands as the primary reason for its decision.
In a statement released on Sunday, SPEC Convener Vivian Bello described the strike as overdue and criticized the government’s neglect of polytechnic education. She highlighted ASUP’s persistent efforts to secure action on key issues, which include:
– **Adequate funding for polytechnic education.**
– **Release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund.**
– **Implementation of a 25/35% salary increase for polytechnic staff.**
– **Settlement of outstanding arrears, including migration arrears under CONTISS-15.**
– **Implementation of overdue promotions and payment of unpaid allowances.**
Bello expressed disappointment that, despite repeated notices and warning strikes, the government has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue or fulfill prior agreements.
A critical point raised by Bello was the continued discrimination against **Higher National Diploma (HND)** holders in comparison to **Bachelor’s Degree** holders. She noted that this disparity negatively impacts HND holders in both public and private sectors, describing it as a “decades-long injustice” that undermines polytechnic education and its graduates.
### The Importance of Polytechnic Education
SPEC emphasized the strategic role of polytechnics in driving innovation and societal development, aligning with the **Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)**. Bello argued that the neglect and underfunding of polytechnic education amount to a “great disservice” to Nigeria’s youth, who rely on this sector for critical skills and training.
SPEC called on the federal government, particularly the **Ministers of Education and Labour**, to immediately engage ASUP in dialogue and resolve the issues at hand. The group also urged the government to prioritize long-term reforms that would elevate polytechnic education to global standards.
“We strongly demand that the federal government act swiftly to not only end this strike but also to reposition polytechnic education as a vital arm of Nigeria’s educational system, ensuring its alignment with international standards and fulfilling its mandate of fostering innovation and productivity,” SPEC stated.
The campaign reiterated its appeal to the NLC and TUC to deploy their resources in supporting ASUP’s cause, noting that the struggle for better polytechnic education is integral to the broader fight for an equitable and functional education system in Nigeria.
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