The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will not allow strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to disrupt academic activities.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Gender Inclusion Summit organised by the Policy Innovation Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa said the government was engaging ASUU and other trade unions with “mutual respect.”
He stated, “I don’t want to come on TV to start talking about private conversations with them, but what I can assure you is that ASUU will not go on strike; we will keep our children in school. This is a responsible government, and we will ensure that our children stay in school.”
ASUU has been in negotiations with the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which covers sustainable university funding, revitalisation of institutions, outstanding salary arrears, stagnated promotions, unremitted third-party deductions, and alleged victimisation of members in some universities.
Alausa maintained that the government was committed to addressing the issues without resorting to brinkmanship.
He said, “We are engaging; I told you we will deal with ASUU and other trade unions with the highest level of mutual respect. We will continue to talk to them.”
The minister also announced major reforms in the examination system, revealing that both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will gradually migrate to computer-based testing (CBT).
According to him, the shift to CBT is aimed at curbing examination malpractices and raising educational standards.
He further stated, “We believe that computer-based testing is one of the starting points to reduce examination malpractices in our country. You disincentivise the hardworking students when you allow cheating. That is why we have moved quickly to implement CBT in WAEC and NECO.”
Alausa disclosed that the November WAEC exams will commence with computer-based objective questions, while essay sections will remain paper-based. By 2026, however, all components, including essays, will be fully computer-based.
He added, “By next year, both the objectives and the essays will all be CBT. As you do this, you’ll get the kids to study more, their cognition will get better, and the quality of their preparation for exams will improve.”
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