By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnessed a polarized start to the new academic session on Monday, characterized by a mix of high student turnout in some quarters and forceful closures in others, as a newly declared Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) strike threatens to disrupt national examinations.
The Mandate Secretary for the FCT Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, issued a stern appeal to the NUT to suspend its industrial action, describing the timing as “psychologically demoralizing” for students scheduled to begin their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) papers today.
During an inspection tour of schools in the capital, Secretary Hayyo expressed deep concern over reports that union members were forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms.
While he noted an initial “impressive turnout,” he decried that the progress was marred by union interference.
“I don’t think constitutionally it’s right for the NUT to come and chase all the students out,” Hayyo stated.
He questioned the logic of the action on the eve of major examinations.
“How can you expect your sons and daughters to write exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out today?
“This could lead to mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule for FCT students alone,” he added.
Amidst the uncertainty, some institutions like Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Maitama, successfully reopened, albeit with lower attendance.
Director Principal Isa Usman confirmed that while the school serves over 1,800 students, only 473 had reported by Monday.
Usman attributed the slow start to logistics and the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams, which saw many SS3 students away from the school.
According to him, despite the strike declaration, GSSS Maitama—a boarding institution—has opted to continue operations.
“Because it’s a boarding house, when they come we cannot send them away.
“We are taking care of them and ensuring everything is going fully for their sake,” Usman said.
Hayyo defended the administration’s record, highlighting that FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike renovated over 100 schools and paid 40% of teacher entitlements last year.
He emphasized that the bulk of the union’s current grievances lie with Local Education Authorities (LEA) and Area Council Chairmen, rather than the central FCT Administration.
The Education Secretariat urged the NUT to return to the bargaining table to avoid worsening the out-of-school children crisis in the territory.
Hayyo lamented, “I am tired of this strike. If we continue to discourage these children now, they will retaliate when they become the leaders of tomorrow.”
While some schools attempted to flicker to life, the “strike enforcement arm” of the NUT maintained a firm grip on public institutions.
At Government Secondary School (GSS) Jabi and GSS Gwarinpa Life-Camp, the scene was one of quiet frustration. Students who arrived at dawn, uniforms pressed and bags packed for the third term, were met at the gates not by teachers, but by union monitors ensuring total compliance with the walkout.
The situation shifted dramatically just blocks away. In a vivid display of the widening educational divide, two local private schools visited by the inspection team observed a different scenario, as students were seen in huge numbers filling hallways and classrooms.
For these institutions, the third-term academic session began without a hitch. While public school gates remained effectively padlocked by industrial action, private school gates remained wide open, highlighting a day where the quality of a child’s education was determined solely by the type of school they attended.
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