Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday implored the Federal government to end the seven-month-old ASUU strike in the interest of the students and for national development.
The House made the call at its plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun.
The lawmakers called on the Federal Government and the union to ensure a win-win situation in the interest of the students and the nation to save the education sector from collapsing.
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They noted that university lecturers had gone on strike 16 times in the last two decades covering a cumulative period of 51 months.
The motion, sponsored by the speaker affirmed that quality education was the bedrock of development across the globe hence its importance could not be overemphasised.
The lawmakers also noted that the strike had become worrisome and embarrassing and did not portray the country in good light.
They asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, especially in university education.
They frowned at the way the prolonged strike had made some youths to lose faith in their education, stressing that it could compromise their future.
The legislators noted that the situation was affecting the students’ mental alertness, increasing moral decadence, and bastardising the nation’s economy.
They also called on the Ondo State government to examine ways of getting the state’s university back to work as had been done in some other states.
The Assembly also enjoined the state government to devise a non-traditional approach of paying accumulated gratuities to its pensioners.
In its resolution, the House advised the state government to partner with private financial institutions to fast-track the payment.
Also on Tuesday, the House passed an amended Bill on the Ondo State Education Endowment Fund.
Chairman of the House’s Committee on Education, Hon. Toluwani Borokini, who presented its report, said the amended Bill would fast-track educational development.
The defunct military government promulgated an edict establishing the Ondo State Education Endowment Fund in 1990. The edict was amended in 1992.
The House embarked on a four-week recess, starting from Aug. 17 to enable members to concentrate on their constituency projects and to go for medical check-ups. (NAN)
