News Investigators/ The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, is meeting with staff unions over issues surrounding the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
A statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Abuja by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, said the discussions focused on concerns raised by workers and the way forward.
The meeting is being attended by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and other affiliated unions.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, are also participating in the meeting.
Alausa said the engagement was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing education reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the reforms were aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child had access to quality education.
The minister acknowledged the importance of workers’ welfare, but urged stakeholders to also consider the national interest and future of Nigerian children.
He commended the unions for their commitment to workers’ rights and willingness to resolve the issues through dialogue.
He assured the unions that the Federal Government would continue to engage all stakeholders in good faith and address legitimate concerns within the framework of the law and ongoing education reforms.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to building an education system that protects workers’ interests, improves learning outcomes and secures a better future for Nigerian children.
Alausa also commended the Acting Permanent Secretary, Olatunji-David for interrupting an official trip to London to return and respond to concerns raised by the unions.
Olatunji-David assured the unions that the government was committed to a smooth transition and protection of affected workers’ interests.
She clarified that the workers would remain civil servants and have the option of remaining at King’s College under the new administrative arrangement or moving to other schools within Lagos State.
She said the choice would be based on the preference of individual workers.
Olatunji-David added that a committee would be established to facilitate the transition, ensure stakeholders were carried along and preserve the heritage and objectives of the college.
The TUC General Secretary, Mr Nuhu Toro, said the unions were seeking clarification on the proposed changes, particularly the use of the term “concessioning”.
Toro said the issue had generated concerns and led to an instruction for workers in unity schools and King’s College to down tools.
He, however, acknowledged that interventions at the highest level had brought the parties to the negotiating table.
He said the unions were committed to resolving the matter through dialogue, particularly in the interest of children from poor and less privileged families.
“We are on the same page on the future of our children,” Toro said, stressing that the ministry and unions were interested in resolving the matter quickly.
NAN