This time last year was remarkably a period
every stakeholder, especially private school operators will not forget in a
hurry. The shock and associated troubles that came with the Ebola saga left a
distortion in the academic calendar.
“The session started with some of us
recovering from the shock of Ebola Virus. We had to buy the ebola detector
because of the fear of Ebola.” A school owner told us recounting his
experience.
The stories of the various experiences from
different quarter cannot be exhausted in such a short piece as this. But the
fact remains that the Ebola trouble affected not just the calendar, but also
the total lesson time required for the supposedly 12-13 weeks long (for the
primary and secondary schools).
The financial wound it inflicted on the
schools and the nation at large is a subject for another day. But we must give
kudos to the then government of the day for a successful combat and total
victory over the deadly disease.
As if that was all that the session was to
face, the wake of the year 2015 took another angle. Tensions were in the air as
both families, business and even the politician were all in panic on the all
expected general election. With the predictions not sounding good, families and
school operator feared for the safety of the students. Schools were forced to
close down in panic ahead of the initial date which was later shifted. Another
injury to the academic process for the year.
At last, it came and was all a success, as
against the predictions of the international community, Nigeria through the act
of true sportsmanship of former President, Goodluck Jonathan conceded victory.
Then came the black moment of waiting for
hand over, as we watched our economy crashing to the floor, fuel was scarce,
Dollar rate was on sky rocketing and our whole world seemed crumbling before
our very watch.
The
handover camp and we are since moving on with the change of administration.
Everyone trying very hard to detect the route the government of the day is
leading. Many on the critics' sides, others on the side of the confused on
lookers and a few praying for the success of the leadership.
Worthy of note also is the feat recorded by
the Joint Admission Board in the conduct of a nationwide computer base test.
Prof. J Ojerinde and his team were able to make their mark against all odds.
The daunting challenges, pitfalls and the rest notwithstanding, we reckon with
their success and wish them a more improved performance with the 2016 JAMB UTME
registration forms now on sale.
However, as a new academic year has begun,
while we still awaits the presidents appointment of an Education minster to
lead the change course in the sector. It is necessarily important to us at
Crystal News to appeal to both the government and the entire key players in the
sector to for once, give us a session free of hitches. Teachers and Lecturers,
ASUU and ASUP, TUC and the rest as well as the government must trade with
caution in their policies and actions.
Our advocacy is for patience and caution on
the side of the key players and government respectively. We cannot afford to be
going back and forth. We must find a level playing ground for all we do. We
must give the government time to set things in order and the government must
not take the patience of the people for granted. In this fight to rebuild our
nation, no one should be the seen as the villain or hero. We all must play our
part in sacrifice and service.
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