The Joint Union of Academic Staff of Plateau State-Owned Tertiary Institutions (JUASPTI) has declared a seven-day warning strike, commencing Tuesday, in protest against the Plateau State Government’s failure to address their longstanding demands.
The union accused the government of neglect and insincerity in resolving issues that have persisted for over two years, particularly those affecting the education sector and staff welfare.
JUASPTI has been engaged in discussions with the Plateau State Government regarding critical issues within the sector and matters concerning the welfare of its members, which have either been ignored or inadequately addressed by the government.
While addressing the media at the City Campus of Plateau State Polytechnic in Jos, Plateau State, JUASPTI Chairman Comrade Lawam Tobias Deban expressed concern over the removal of four heads of tertiary institutions and the appointment of temporary replacements.
He highlighted a Plateau State Government announcement dated February 6, 2024, which inexplicably removed the chief executives of Plateau State Polytechnic, the College of Education, the College of Health in Zawan, and the College in Pankshin, without following the established rules and procedures.
According to the union, the union faulted the government on the premise that such action was in gross violation of the law establishing all institutions, adding that JUASPTI wrote the government insisting that due process was abused in the process for the removal of the chief executives.
Comrade Deban said the union wrote the state government on the violation without prejudice, adding that the union’s insistence on the need for adherence was for due process to be followed.
“More than one year after, the temporary acting chief executives are still in office in spite of the fact that the law in our institutions allows for temporary appointment of principal officers for only six months without renewal. As it stands today, we are afraid that the government that is supposed to promote the rule of law appears to be acting on the contrary.
The chairman further stated that most of the institutions are understaffed because the last time formal employment was done in most institutions was in 2006, adding that over the years many staff had retired or died, and some have left due to brain drain and poor working conditions in spite of new programs and departments.
He added that some of the issues that led to the suspension of the strike embarked upon by the union in August 2023 are still lingering and unattended to by the state government.
The Federal Government, in partnership with UNESCO and the Pan-African University, has launched a mobile learning initiative to improve teacher professional development through digital technology.
The programme integrates mobile-based learning into the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University Initiative and is designed to provide teachers and school leaders with flexible access to training resources through technology-enabled learning platforms.
The three-day Master Training Programme, themed “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,” is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa and the Pan African University, with funding support from the Government of Japan.
According to the ministry, the initiative targets five African countries: Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya and South Sudan. It seeks to expand access to continuous professional development for educators, particularly female teachers and school leaders.
The Federal Government, UNESCO and Pan African University launch a mobile learning initiative to improve teacher professional development across five African countries through digital technology. Image credit: Image FX.
“The initiative leverages mobile technology to overcome barriers such as time constraints, geographical limitations and inadequate infrastructure, enabling educators to access quality learning resources anytime and anywhere through a low-data, offline-friendly platform,” the ministry said.
Mobile learning plan to address barriers facing teachers in Nigeria
The ministry said the programme aims to address barriers that have limited teachers’ access to regular training, including geographical constraints, connectivity challenges and inadequate learning infrastructure.
“The initiative leverages mobile technology to overcome barriers such as time constraints, geographical limitations and inadequate infrastructure, enabling educators to access quality learning resources anytime and anywhere through a low-data, offline-friendly platform,” the ministry said.
The programme, the Federal Ministry of Education said, places particular emphasis on female teachers and school leaders as part of efforts to promote inclusive access to professional development opportunities.
“Accessible professional development is essential to strengthening learning outcomes and building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready education system,” the ministry said.
The deployment of mobile learning tools aligns with broader efforts across Africa to use digital platforms to improve access to education and professional training. UNESCO-IICBA has previously promoted digital development programmes for teachers across the continent, focusing on improving teacher competencies and strengthening education systems through capacity building.
UNESCO’s Global Teacher Campus initiative has also focused on providing online courses to enhance teachers’ digital skills and pedagogical competencies. The organisation estimates that the world will require about 44 million additional teachers by 2030, including an estimated 15 million new teachers in sub-Saharan Africa.
The PAVEU initiative, developed under the Pan African University framework, is designed to support virtual learning and expand access to higher education and professional development opportunities across African countries through digital platforms.
The Federal Government has in recent years introduced several digital education programmes, including virtual learning platforms and digital teacher training initiatives, as part of efforts to integrate technology into Nigeria’s education system.
In 2026, the government launched the HOPE-EDU programme, a $552 million education initiative expected to support about 29 million children, more than 500,000 teachers and 65,000 public schools through improved learning outcomes and education infrastructure.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria’s education system faces a significant learning crisis, with more than 70% of children lacking foundational literacy and numeracy skills, partly due to weak teacher capacity and limited access to standardised professional development opportunities.
The challenge is compounded by digital access limitations. UNICEF reports that only 36% of Nigeria’s population uses the internet, while 47% of teachers possess basic ICT skills, highlighting gaps in educators’ ability to fully leverage digital learning tools.
UNESCO-IICBA said the initiative is built around the use of mobile platforms to provide flexible learning opportunities for teachers who may be unable to attend traditional face-to-face training programmes. The institute added that the project is designed to strengthen teacher professional development and resilience by integrating mobile-based learning solutions into national teacher education systems across the five participating African countries.
Stay ahead with real-time reports, breaking news, and exclusive insights delivered directly to your phone. Don’t settle for outdated information. Join PLATEAUREPORTS NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates.
A month after the mass abduction of 46 Oyo schoolchildren and teachers by terrorists on May 15 and the decapitation of a teacher, the captives remain in the forest despite military claims and political promises from President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde.
The terrorists kidnapped the students and staffers after invading schools in the Esienle and Yawota communities in Orire local council in Oyo state.
Days after the abduction, one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists, pressuring the government to meet their demands for the release of the abductees.
On May 19, four days after the abduction, the Defence Headquarters, in a statement by its spokesperson, Michael Onoja, said, “Troops are currently deployed and actively operating within the forest in pursuit of the perpetrators and in search of the abducted victims.”
“Troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganised, and are continuing the search and pursuit operations with full determination.”
The military and the government cited collateral damage as a reason for not taking out the terrorists.
While the schoolchildren and their teachers languish in captivity, Messrs Tinubu and Makinde have been engaging in electioneering as they chase their presidential dreams, both emerging as their party’s candidates for the 2027 election.
On May 31, Mr Makinde visited the hostages’ communities, promising their families the safe return of those abducted.
“This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and federal government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers, Mr Makinde told the families of abductees. “All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because it has security implications. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release.”
Similarly, a delegation representing Mr Tinubu, led by his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited the families and made a similar promise.
In a video released by the terrorists, Rachael Alamu, one of the hostages and the principal of Community High School Esinele, begged Messrs Tinubu and Makinde to negotiate with the terrorists to secure their release.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State House of Assembly has opposed negotiating with the terrorists.
Debo Ogundoyin, the speaker of the assembly, said the state would not pay ransom, give weapons to terrorists or change laws to accommodate the kidnappers.
Several protests have followed the government’s failure to rescue the hostages.
Amid public outrage and discontent, many Nigerians protested across several states, including Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, demanding the immediate rescue of the hostages.
In his Democracy Day speech on June 12, Mr Tinubu said, “Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough.”
The president urged terrorists and bandits across the country to lay down their arms or face the wrath of his administration.
Entertainment1 day ago
