Polytechnic
students across the country are not happy particularly, with the media
over what they termed ‘blackout’ in the coverage of on-going industrial
action embarked upon by polytechnic lecturers following government’s
refusal to implement agreements it signed in 2009, aimed at rejuvenating
the polytechnic system.
The aggrieved students expressed
disappointment that the country’s media has failed to give adequate
publicity to the strike and its effects on students, parents and the
society at large unlike in the case of universities.
One of the students, Akpan Ukeme of
Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Ebonyi State, in a protest letter to
Vanguard queried the rationale behind the total blackout by all media
organisations in the country.
“Since the commencement of the ongoing
strike, it has become an arduous task for you to see the headlines
talking about the strike action. The question is why the media blackout?
I remember the last time universities were on strike, print media,
television talk-show programmes focused on it and even granted
interviews to different university lecturers and the ASUU president
which prompted a quick response from the Federal Government.
“However, reverse is the case with ASUP
which can be calculated to be derailed. Are the media now supporting
ASUU against ASUP because that could be an easy conclusion to draw! Are
the polytechnics with rich technical background now seen as glorified
secondary schools with no value?
“The fight for recognition of Nigerian
polytechnics starts from the media; if ASUP had the backing of the
media, the government would have been pressurized to act accordingly.
After less than 48 hours of threat to embark on strike by National
Airspace Management Agency to shut down Nigerian airspace, the Federal
Government has set up a committee to look into its grievances. ASUP has
been on strike for over three weeks, nothing tangible has been done”,
the letter noted.
ASUP has maintained that it embarked on
strike for improved conditions for polytechnic staff and the provision
of learning materials and equipment as well as improved infrastructure
for the institutions.
“It is a multifaceted demand and it
requires all the agencies of government involved to show goodwill and
save the sector from collapse. Parents and student should support us
because we are fighting a just cause. It is a struggle to change the
system”, the group explained.
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
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