Education

Plateau Tertiary Institutions’ Academic Staff Union Begins 7-Day Warning Strike

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2025

vicky

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.

Education

South Africa: 11-Year-Old Boy Assaulted, Circumcised by Four Schoolmates in Toilet

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2026

Preport

An 11-year-old pupil at Sinqobile Primary School in Soshanguve, South Africa, was allegedly dragged into a school toilet and forcibly circumcised by four older students during break time.

The Grade 5 pupil was reportedly attacked by four Grade 7 students, who allegedly pinned him down before one of them used a sharp blade to remove his foreskin.

The boy was also allegedly threatened with violence if he disclosed the incident to anyone.

According to his mother, the child returned home after the incident but initially refused to tell her what had happened. She later noticed that he was walking unusually and, days later, discovered that he was in severe pain.

The mother said her son eventually showed her his swollen private parts, prompting her to rush him to a doctor.

“He then showed me his swollen private parts and I rushed him to the doctor and it was then that we learned four pupils had circumcised him,” she said.

She said her son told her that the older boys had attacked him in the school toilets during break and threatened to beat him if he told anyone.

The mother subsequently opened a criminal case and refused to allow her son to return to school. Police later persuaded the boy to attend an identity parade, where he reportedly helped identify the four students.

South African Police Service spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, confirmed that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was being investigated.

“Our Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are investigating and no arrests have been made at this stage,” Sibeko said.

The Gauteng Department of Education also confirmed that the matter was under police investigation, while saying the school had not reported any similar circumcision attacks.

Deputy Principal George Mahlungu said the school was shocked by the incident.

“We are perplexed by what happened. This school is a place where a child should be safe,” he said.

The school has about 2,050 pupils between the ages of seven and 15.

A doctor who examined the boy reportedly said the procedure appeared to have been carried out in a manner similar to traditional tribal initiation practices. However, the doctor said a full diagnosis could not be made until the swelling subsided.

The boy’s mother said her son had become traumatised by the incident and was afraid to return to school.

Police investigations are ongoing, and no arrests had been made as of the latest report.

Business

Plateau Strengthens Technical Education, Prepares NITT Centre for September Take-Off

Published

4 weeks ago

August 19, 2026

Preport

The Plateau State Government has taken a major step towards expanding access to specialised transport education and practical technical training with the handover of facilities at the Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.

The facilities, comprising part of the college’s Mechanical Workshop, five classrooms and a residential quarter, will serve as the NITT Learning Centre and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre, providing students, technicians and professionals with opportunities to acquire practical skills in modern transportation technology, CNG conversion and logistics.

The Plateau State Government was represented at the handover ceremony by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, who said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening technical education, skills development and the adoption of modern transportation technologies.

Jatau said the Mechanical Workshop would provide a practical environment for CNG conversion training, while the classrooms would support theoretical instruction, professional development and capacity-building programmes.

He added that the residential accommodation would improve the welfare of personnel and learners who would be associated with the centre.

The commissioner expressed confidence that NITT would make effective and sustainable use of the facilities to expand educational and technical opportunities for people in Plateau State.

“We are confident that NITT Zaria will make effective and sustainable use of these facilities for the benefit of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Jummai Shekarau, described the handover as an investment in technical education, innovation and human capital development, rather than simply the provision of infrastructure.

She said the CNG Conversion Centre would provide young people with practical skills that could improve their employability and enable them to take advantage of opportunities emerging in the CNG value chain.

According to her, the centre would also encourage entrepreneurship and job creation while supporting the transition from petrol and diesel to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.

The Registrar of NITT, Zaria, Dr Maina Williams Tarfa, commended the Plateau State Government for providing facilities beyond what the institute had initially requested.

Tarfa said the intervention would enable NITT to establish a strong educational presence in Plateau State and bring specialised transport training closer to residents.

He expressed confidence that the centre would commence operations by September, providing training opportunities for local government technicians and other professionals across the state.

He explained that NITT would introduce programmes including Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Master’s programmes in Transport and Logistics, while deploying its technical experts to deliver quality training and practical services.

Tarfa said the centre would help bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical skills by giving learners direct exposure to modern transport technologies.

Dr Sani Barau, Special Adviser to the Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, said the handover marked the transition from planning to implementation after concerted efforts to secure and prepare the facilities.

Barau stressed the need for a clear and speedy activation plan to ensure that the centre becomes operational as soon as possible.

He said the initiative would involve local technical stakeholders, create investment opportunities and strengthen the skills base required for the development of Plateau State’s transport sector.

The officials subsequently toured the facilities to inspect the progress of rehabilitation works at the institution ahead of the planned commencement of operations in September.

The establishment of the NITT Learning Centre is expected to strengthen technical and vocational education in Plateau State, giving students, technicians and professionals access to practical training and advanced qualifications in transport, logistics and emerging vehicle technologies.