Some aggrieved students under the aegis of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, has protested against the continued closure of tertiary institutions in the country.
They said decisive action must be taken by government within 14 days on reopening of schools in the interest of students.
The students gave the ultimatum during a protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday.
According to them, the continued closure of schools further reiterates the insensitivity of the leadership to education and the plight of students in the country.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government ordered the closure of schools in the country in the wake of the COVID-19 scourge occasioned by death across the globe.
The leadership of NAPS, during a peaceful rally, stated that with the re-opening of markets and worship centers there was no basis for the continued closure of tertiary institutions.
The protesters, bearing placards with various inscriptions, urged stakeholders to review government’s position on the issue in order to save education from the brink.
The National President of NAPS, Olalere Adetunji; and Ilesanmi Moses, Students Union President, Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan, said, “We cannot continue to keep mute in the face of bad policy, most especially when it has to do with education. COVID-19 has come to stay; whether we agree or not, there is going to be a cure to it like malaria.
“All we need from the Federal Government is to stop partaking in the global politics and come out with a specific date for schools’ re-opening. The Federal Government has given guidelines on schools re-opening.and everybody is ready to adhere strictly with the guidelines.
“The Federal Ministry of Education should wake up to the task. If the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics is not ready to go back to class, their salary should be stopped henceforth.
“If the Federal Government refuses to give a specific date, between now and the next 14 days, the entire polytechnic students across the country would not hesitate to mobilise in millions across the street in Nigeria. We are ready to stop the economy.”
