FCT Pleads With Teachers To Suspend Strike Ahead Of WAEC Exams

With the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams set to begin nationwide on Tuesday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat has made a last-minute appeal to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to call off its ongoing strike, warning that the action risks causing mass failure among students.

The mandate secretary, Danlami Hayyo, during a school inspection on Monday, alleged that union members were physically removing students and teachers from classrooms.

“I was initially impressed by the high turnout of both students and teachers ready for learning. However, the NUT has chased pupils out of some schools. I do not believe it is constitutionally right for a union to forcefully eject students who are eager to learn,” he said.

The timing of the strike has intensified the government’s concern, as Hayyo cautioned that disrupting classes the day before a major examination is psychologically damaging to candidates.

“How can you expect your sons and daughters to write their exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out of school today?

“You are demoralising them; psychologically, this could lead to mass failure. WAEC will not reschedule its calendar specifically for FCT students. Do you want them to miss this opportunity entirely?” he said.

In a bid to shift blame away from the central administration, the mandate secretary defended the FCT’s financial commitments.

The mandate secretary noted that the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has overseen the renovation of over 100 schools and paid 40 percent of teacher entitlements last year.

He added that many unresolved grievances fall under the jurisdiction of the Local Education Authority (LEA) and Area Council Chairmen, not the FCT Administration.

Hayyo urged the union to return to negotiations instead of destabilising the entire system over disputes with local councils.

“I am tired of this cycle of strikes. For effective learning and quality education, industrial action is not the best path.

“If we continue to discourage these children now, they may retaliate when they become the leaders of tomorrow. We are working to reduce the number of out-of-school children, but this strike is pushing us backward,” he said.

He called on the NUT to set aside selfish interests and allow teaching to resume immediately, warning that FCT students risk losing their place on the international exam calendar if the strike continues.