The different chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has kicked against the proposed reopening of schools in the country, citing what it described as ‘government unpreparedness’ in implementing Covid-19 guidelines and protocols of NCDC.
In separate interviews granted to newsmen, the Union faulty the directive of the National Universities Commission as it alleged that safety measures has not being put in place in hostels and lecture halls across the country.
Açcording to the Obafemi Awolowo University chapter chairman, Dr. Adeola Egbedokon, the classrooms and lecture halls situation in most universities do not conform to the covid-19 guidelines.
He further said that the parents of the students should insist that the best safety measures should be put in place before allowing their wards resume studies.
Also speaking on the issue,the chairman of ASUU, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr. Adebayo Oni said that most Nigeria universities can not come with the challenges that the covid-19 pandemic presents.
Dr. Oni said “the lecture halls are overcrowded. As of today in my campus, I have not seen any facility for hand washing, who is to provide sanitizers? Do we expect lecturers to provide it for themselves?”
He went further to say that the online lectures being proposed may not be q viable alternative as the facilities to encourage such do not exist in most universities in the country.
Dr. Musa Babaya, the chairman of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa chapter of ASUU while also commenting on the issue said that the government and the institutions did not show any sign of seriousness in handling the covid-19 issue while the Union was on strike.
He went further to say that no serious measure has been put in place while assuring Nigerians that the association is ready to go back to work once the needed facilities are in place.