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Tag: Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics

  • LASPOTECH students groan as govt, workers fight over arrears

    LASPOTECH students groan as govt, workers fight over arrears

    Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) students have been out of their classrooms thrice between May and this month. Reason: disagreement involving the unions, management and Lagos State Government over the payment of some arrears. With the parties sticking to their guns, chances of a lasting solution seem far fetched, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

    Academic activities resumed on Monday at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) after a series of strike (May 2017; June 5-20 and August 1-15, 2017). However, the case involving the workers’unions and the Lagos State Government over the implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Scale (CONTISS) 15 is pending at the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Lagos.

    The court has directed the parties to resolve the matter, failing which it would go into adjudication. How the issue will be resolved is yet to be seen.

    At the root of the matter is the payment of arrears following the government’s agreement to domesticate the 2009 Agreement involving the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the Federal Government in 2010.

    Implementation, according to ASUP in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman, was to start in 2011. It  claimed  that the government agreed to pay arrears from 2009. Part of the CONTISS 15 was to be sourced from the polytechnic’s internally-generated revenue.

    Following the government’s approval, the immediate past rector, Dr Abdulazeez Lawal, set up a committee to set out modalities for migration to CONTISS 15. The committee, in its June 2014 report, noted that it would cost N19,718, 559 outside the institution’s wage bill to pay the allowance monthly.

    The polytechnic sought approval to begin payment of the CONTISS 15 and migrate to the new scheme of service approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in September 2014, which would cost a total of N229,401,307.

    In June, last year, the government increased the institution’s subvention from N153,731,200 per month to N210 million and approved the implementation of the CONTISS 15.  However, the Special Adviser on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, directed the institution to dedicate half of its internally generatd (IGR) to paying back part of its outstanding debt which stood at N2,778, 549,846,21.

    The government began paying the CONTISS 15. However, a source told The Nation that trouble started when the unions began to ask for arrears, which the government had said it did not owe.

    But, ASUP disagreed, saying it did not ask for arrears of since 2009 to be paid at once.  The union also accused Bank-Olemoh and the Rector, Oluyinka Sogunro of giving false information to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode about the matter.

    In its statement, Uthman said: “We don’t have any issues with the Lagos State government or the person of the amiable governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on the CONTISS 15 arrears.

    “We are fighting for a legitimate reason as enshrined in a National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE) letter.

    “Lagos State government has made provision for the arrears therefore Lagos State government is not owing LASPOTECH staff.

    “There is availability of ‘spendable’ funds to the tune of N249,000,000 accrued from the polytechnic’s IGR and excess monthly subventions from the government to offset part of the arrears. This information is contained in the report of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education’s fact finding committee that was signed by the LASPOTECH management and representatives of the unions in July 2017.

    “The unions never for once requested for 87 months arrears at a go, it was just the SAE/rector’s unpopular propaganda. The unions only requested for 12 months, while the remaining should be prorated for years in line with the NBTE’s caveat.”

    On being approached, Bank-Olemoh said the case was in court.  He added that the government remained committed to the institution’s development.

    “The case is in court. We are committed to making all our institutions into citadels of learning. Workers of our tertiary institutions receive their salaries and allowances on time every month, unlike other states where they owe salaries.

    “The governor has approved for us to build a new stadium, administrative block and auditorium at LASPOTECH,” he said.

    However, a source in the Lagos State Ministry of Education noted that the workers were making demands difficult for the government to fulfill. The source added that the NBTE informed the government that the implementation should start in 2013 and that the CONTISS 15 should not apply to all workers.

    “They are asking us to pay CONTISS 15 arrears from 2009 – about N1.7 billion. We are saying that we do not owe the money. They are saying that it was an agreement with the Federal Government. But you know such agreements are to be domesticated with state governments.

    “We wrote to the NBTE when we wanted to implement the agreement and the NBTE sent us a 150-page report, which stated that the implementation started in 2013. The NBTE said that the money is not for everybody.  If we pay according to what the NBTE report says, 80 per cent of the workers will not get it.

    “We sent the report to the unions and the governing council of the institution to review and revert to us.  When the union was going to respond, ASUP claimed that the report was fake,” the source said.

    The institution’s  Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye, also declined to comment because   “the case was in court so I would not comment’’.

  • Polytechnic, Colleges of Education lecturers threatens strike

    Polytechnic, Colleges of Education lecturers threatens strike

    Few days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began an indefinite strike to press home their demand for better working condition, there are indication that higher education sector may soon witness more strike action as lecturers in Nigeria Polytechnics and Colleges of Education are bracing up for another round of industrial action.

    Leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union have threatened to embark on industrial action if the government continues to pay lip service to the welfare of their members and the working environment in their institutions.

    While expressing solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the struggle to restore sanity to Nigerian Universities and the education sector, General Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Comrade Anderson Ezeibe said the government must immediately commence the implementation of agreements entered into with the union to forestall an impending crisis in the polytechnic sub sector.

    He it was unfortunate that it has become a norm for government to renege on agreements entered into with trade unions, particularly in the education sector leaving affected unions frustrated and with no choice than to down tools.

    He said while ASUP is concern about the consequences of the strike on students, parents and society at large, the government should be held responsible for this avoidable industrial crisis.

    He said ‎ASUP is urging government to address the issue of shortfall in personnel releases in Federal Institutions since December 2015, non-payment of salaries in state Polytechnics, non-implementation of Needs Assessment report as well as non-payment of allowances.

    “ASUP notes with nostalgia the renewal of hostilities in the country’s university campuses between ASUU and Government of Nigeria.

    “While we are in unconditional solidarity with ASUU in this struggle to restore sanity to   Nigerian universities, we are calling on the Government to commence without further delay  the implementation of agreements entered into with ASUP to forestall an inpending crisis in the polytechnic sub-sector as the issues in contention which include shortfall in personel releases in Federal Instiuions since December 2015, non-payment of salaries in state Polytechnics, non-implementation of Needs Assessment report as well as non-payment of allowances”.

    On their part, National President of the College of Education Academic Staff Union, OGIRIMA Nuhu gave the federal government a 48 hours ultimatum to reconstitute the governing council of the Federal College of Education, Okene and stop the proposed interview for a substantive Provost for the institution.

    The union accused the governing council of being compromised by politicians and trying to impose a Provost on the institution, pointing out that failure to do that will compel the union to embark on an industrial action to press home other demands of the union.

    Nuhu said apart from halting the proposed interview slated for Monday, 21 August, 2017 and the reconstitute the Governing Council of FCE Okene which has been compromised, the government should conduct fresh interview for the position of provost and college librarian to allow for the participation of all that may be qualified, including those illegally disqualified.

    They also want the government to ensure a transparent and level playing for all applicants for same position in such colleges as FCE (T), Umunze, FCE (T), Gombe among others, adding that “should the Minister not see the need to address these concerns within the next 48hrs, from today, Wednesday, 16 August, 2017, the Federal Government should brace up for a serious industrial dispute on not only the FCE, Okene, matter but also all other outstanding issues to which FG paid only lip service.”

     

  • ASUP flays MAUSTECH transition committee

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) chapter has said it no longer has confidence in the Transition Committee converting the polytechnic to the Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH).

    It is also concerned about the fate of present students of the institution when the new university and the Ogun State Polytechnic begin operation in September.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman and General Secretary, Comrades Kola Abiola and Lekan Adebayo following the union’s Congress Thursday last week, ASUP accused the Committee led by Prof Peter Okebukola of putting its members in the dark about its activities thereby creating an atmosphere of suspicion.

    The union recalled how its members went on strike July 13, when Okebukola directed all workers of the Polytechnic to reapply for employment into the proposed MAUSTECH.

    It sought the intervention of the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amuson, an alumnus, who promised that the union would be more involved in the activities of the Okebukola-led committee.

    However, the statement noted ASUP was shocked that after suspending the strike, members of the committee had been making provocative statements in the media.

    Following this development, ASUP wrote two separate letters on July 14 and 19 to the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, to confirm Amosun’s promises but had received no acknowledgment of the letters as at press time.

    ASUP is also urging the committee to clarify certain gray areas about the proposed transition.

    The statement read: ”The major questions which we intended to ask the Committee but which we were not given opportunity are: Has MAPOLY transmuted to MAUTECH? Or is Ogun State Polytechnic a newly created institution? If Ogun State Polytechnic is a new creation, is it registered with the regulatory agency- the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)? What are the approved programmes of the study for MAUSTECH and the Ogun State Polytechnic? What are the resources on ground to facilitate the approval to commence operation in the Ogun State Polytechnic?

    The union continued: “How is MAUSTECH and Ogun State Polytechnic going to be funded, especially the funding of overhead costs in the short-run? How do they ensure on a sustainable basis, the payment of salaries of over 700 staff of MAPOLY? This is a pertinent question, given the fact that presently salaries are mainly sourced from school fees paid, and especially now that admission is being suspended and even the new University and Ogun State Polytechnic will of necessity admit less number of students (being a new institution of learning).

    “What becomes of the present ND 1, ND 2, HND 1, and HND 2 students of MAPOLY? Is it possible to just move them into the new Ogun State Polytechnic even when we are not sure of which programmes the NBTE would approve for commencement? What happens to the applicants into ND 1, and HND 1 programmes of MAPOLY for the 2017/2018 session?

    “We want to state for the umpteenth time that we are in no way  averse to be upgrading of MAPOLY into a University but we are concerned with leaving an enduring legacy that will stand the test of time”.

  • ASUP calls for end to dichotomy between Polytechnic and University graduates

    ASUP calls for end to dichotomy between Polytechnic and University graduates

    Ogunseye Timothy, National Vice-President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to end the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates in the country.

    Timothy made the appeal on the side line of ASUP first International Conference hosted by the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Chapter of the union in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The conference had the theme: “Africa’s Solution to Africa’s Challenges: Nigeria’s Perspectives’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a bill for an act seeking to end the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates passed its second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

    The bill, which was co-sponsored by Balanga Billiri, Ali Isa and Edward Pwajok, seek to create equal opportunities for graduates from universities and polytechnics, in terms of employment and promotions.

    Timothy said that polytechnic graduates were not inferior to their university counterparts.

    Ogunseye said the unwarranted discriminatory practice of ranking polytechnic graduates lower than university graduates was prevalent among some government agencies and private organizations.

    He commended Kano State Government for its decision not to discriminate but ranked polytechnic and university graduates equally.

    “I do not see any reason why the dichotomy should continue as the same admission requirement applies to candidates choosing polytechnics and universities.

    “Reviewing the curricula of tertiary institutions in terms of practical and other educational contents, polytechnic graduates are far better than universities.

    “Nigerian graduates are equal, notwithstanding the schools they attend. However, this discrepancy between polytechnic and university is worrisome.

    “Without doubt, if the discrimination continues, the country’s technological advancement being the backbone of any economic growth will be negatively affected.

    “As a matter of fact, there is need for employers to change their perception towards HND graduates because BSC holders are not in any way better than them.

    “If care is not taken, competent hands will be short-changed which would handicap the country’s progress,’’ he said.

    Also speaking on the discrimination, former rector of Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Babatunde Iginla, said removing the dichotomy would encourage economic independence, employment and stability in the labor market.

     

  • ASUP: FG should focus more on technical education

    ASUP: FG should focus more on technical education

    Mr. Usman Dutse, the President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, has advised the Federal Government to give more attention to Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in tertiary institutions.

    Dutse made this known on Wednesday in Lagos that funding challenges and inadequate policy framework were affecting the implementation of TVET in schools.

    He also said challenges in the area of technical education had contributed to the high level of unemployment in the country.

    “Technical and vocational training is one of the solutions to the challenges we are facing in the country.

    “TVET provides opportunity for youths to acquire skills they can apply practically and become self employed,’’ the union president said.

    According to him, it is only through diversification and application of appropriate technical skills that the nation’s economy can be diversified and internalised.

    “We need skills in mining, agriculture and industries.

    “Technical and vocational training in these key areas of endeavour can take our country out of the economy recession.’’

    Dutse urged government to commit more resources to technical education.

    He observed that low enrolment of students in polytechnics and colleges of technology had affected technical education and production of skilled manpower.

    The federal government had promised to invest in technical education to build the requisite human capital base for a competitive economy.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, at a national workshop on technical and vocational training in Nigeria, had reiterated the federal government’s resolve to place emphasis on the area.

    “The Nigerian education system has an important role to play in actualizing government’s desire to nurture and develop the requisite human capital base for a globally-competitive economy.

    “This informs the emphasis the present administration has placed on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education.

    “We will continue to invest and promote this form of education to encourage job creation and employment generation.

    “As a nation, we must face the reality that education today has to be functional, in the sense that it must be structured to meet the requirements for the growth and development of the nation.

    “Education must be purpose-driven toward the development of the individual. This what technical and vocational education guarantees and we will continue to focus on that,’’ he had said.

    The minister had promised that an enabling environment would be created in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for pragmatic private sector involvement.

     

  • ‘We are happy to be back’

    Some students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY) have relived their experience during the 81-day strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). They spoke to AKINOLA OLUYI (ND II Mass Communication).

     

    Penultimate Tuesday, polytechnics resumed for academic activities, following the suspension of the 81-day industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

    The strike was suspended after the ASUP national leadership led by Dr Chibuzor Asumogba met with the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Education, which intervened on behalf of the Federal Government.

    Before beginning the strike, ASUP initially went on a seven-day warning strike to call on the government to implement the 2009 agreement it reached with the teachers to promote technical education and equate degrees issued by polytechnics with those of universities to create a level playing field for products of either institution.

    Some schools were about to start semester examinations when ASUP declared an indefinite strike to drive home its demands.

    As the strike progressed, students nationwide bemoaned their fate, saying their future was hanging in the balance. Some of them accused the government of insincerity to develop polytechnic education; others chided their lecturers for going on strike because of personal reasons.

    When the strike was called off, there was spontaneous jubilation among students, who besieged the social media to relive their experience. Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State, who were about to start their first semester examination, could not hide their feelings as the campus was re-opened for academic activities.

     

  • Strike: NANS to state position Friday – Gbadebo

    Strike: NANS to state position Friday – Gbadebo

    The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) will come out with its position on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday, its president, Mr Yinka Gbadebo, said on Wednesday.

    Gbadebo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the body was still consulting on the issue.

    He said that for now, they were appealing to all parties involved in the strike to find ways of reaching a compromise as students were always affected during strikes.

    On the implication of the ASUU strike coming when the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) was also protesting, he said that it was not good for students to be at home for long.

    “The government should at least do something for the unions because they play an important role and in the interest of the nation’s academic future, there should be a compromise.

    “We are appealing to both unions to look into the plight of the students because the staying at home of the students could do damage to their future, “ he said.

    According to him, though the demands of the two unions would improve their productivity and welfare, they should also consider the students.

    Gbadebo said that there should be give-and-take from both the government and the unions in resolving the problems.

    NAN recalls that ASUU had directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike nationwide since Monday.

    The action followed the inability of the Federal Government to implement some of the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with the union.

    ASUU also said the government had reneged on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it entered into with the union in December 2011.

    ASUP has also been on strike since April– over several issues.

  • ASUP strike paralyses academic activities in polytechnics

    ASUP strike paralyses academic activities in polytechnics

    The seven-day warning strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), which entered its third day on Wednesday, has continued to paralyse academic activities in the institutions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), students at the Ikorodu and Isolo campuses have resorted to roaming.

    Mr Kehinde Olofintuyi, Speaker, LASPOTECH’s Students’ Union Government, told NAN in Ikorodu that although the strike was effective, it was not in their best interest.

    He appealed to the Federal government to look into the demand of the striking lecturers, while another student, Miss Jesica Chimezie, urged the need for the government and ASUP to reach an agreement.

    However, Mr Chibuzor Asomugba, the National President of ASUP, told NAN that the strike would continue until the Federal Government considered their demands.

    “We have not heard anything from the Federal Government; the strike still continues,” he said.

    Mr Dimeji Macaulay, Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) in Niger, has appealed to the federal and state governments to immediately meet all the demands of ASUP.

    Macaulay made the appeal in a statement, a copy of which was made available to NAN in Lagos.

    According to him, the series of strikes rocking the nation’s education sector are signs of “the resistance building up against government’s neglect of public education and its poor education policies’’.

    Macaulay claimed that at the university level, both academic and non-academic staff workers had numerous grievances that could lead to a series of strikes very soon.

    “This is aside brewing anger of mass of students at fee hikes and poor condition of hostels and teaching facilities which unfortunately, cannot find organised expression only because of the lack of a fighting students’ leadership.

    “Following closely on the heels of an ongoing strike action declared by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and ASUP means a total shutdown of all academic and administrative activities in the nation’s Polytechnics and Monotechnics.

    “To avoid a total strike, we call on the federal government to see to the demand of the lecturers,” he said.