NUT Tells Govts – Do Not Toy With Public Education

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has appealed to all tiers of government not to toy with public education in the interest of Nigerian children.

Mr Michael Olukoya, the National President of the union, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Olukoya noted that most politicians and individuals in positions of authority, acquired their education in public institutions and as such, should endeavour to preserve them.

“We want to appeal to all tiers of government not to toy with public education.

“We want them to see their present position as an opportunity to give back to the society that made them.

“Personally, I want us to view public education as the only avenue through which children of a common man can rise to the top in the society.

“What type of hope do we have for the future if the educational opportunities are nothing to write home about?’’ Olukoya asked.

He said that when a simple survey was conducted at an event on the number of people that attended private school, “not a single hand was up.

“When beneficiaries of public education were asked to raise their hands, many hands were up.

“So what does that signify? It is that the tree from which all of us have plucked one fruit or the other must not be allowed to die.’’

The union leader, therefore, challenged those in positions of authority to “wake up and ensure that the edifice is not demolished’’. (NAN)