ASUU insists on not going back to university, talks about alternative learning

On Tuesday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities insisted that Nigerian colleges and universities are currently not ready to re-open.

The Union said it finds it difficult in the middle of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic to return to classes.

Remember that on January 18, 2021, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had previously directed the lecturers to return to classes.

But ASUU is demanding that, owing to the rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Nigerian government should review the decision.

“Our fear is rooted in the safety of our members,” the national president of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, told the Sunrise Daily of Channels Television on Tuesday.

What about the congested hostels, the crowded schools? What flexible modalities are in place? It is an emergency situation. I’m not sure the universities will be able to cope,’ he said.

The ASUU President said the necessary infrastructure was not in place when asked if e-learning was an option for universities.

We are aware that, with alternative learning models, some universities are putting measures in place,” he said, adding, “some are even trying blended classes, virtual and physical.

“These efforts are limited, however. They’re reaching a point where they can’t go further.

“Since 2012, ASUU has been speaking about reinvigoration. These are some of the areas that would have helped with assistance. To do this, universities need enormous funds.

“People say they start virtual classes, but more than 60% of our students are going to run into trouble—they can’t afford data or smartphones.”

ASUU called off its ten-month-old industrial action on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

The prolonged strike was due to the delay of the Federal Government in fulfilling the union agreements reached.