Ebola: Teachers Slam FG's decision to reopen schools,threathen to go on strike

The Nigerian Union of Teachers has threatened to go on strike if the
Federal Government fails to put in place measures to protect its
members and pupils from contracting the deadly Ebola Virus Disease
before the resumption of schools.But the Federal Government says
there is no going back on the date since there is no scientific basis
for schools to remain shut beyond the September 22 resumption date
announced by the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau.

The NUT National President, Michael Alogba told Punch

"In any sane society, decision such as this will not be taken until
the government and all stakeholders have met and discussed the issue
at stake and are sure that the nation is scientifically and medical
free from the scourge.But this is not the case in our country. When
they arrived at the early October 13 date, they wrote us and we agreed
with their argument but when this new date was given, they did not
because of the influence of some powerful school owners who put
pressure on them (Federal Government) to announce the September 22
date....

"Anyway, we have written to tell them that if the Federal Government
does not shift the date and provide all necessary safety measures in
schools before Monday next week, all NUT leaders will meet in Abuja by
9am on Tuesday to decide our fate by ourselves.
"Though I don't want to preempt the outcome of the meeting but as
teachers who have families and who should protect our future, I mean
our students, we will shun the classes; we will call for strike.What
kind of government is this, don't they know that children can never be
as hygienic as adults?
Don't they know that the immunity level of children is not as high as
that of adults? Why do you want to open schools when you have not
cleared out the virus; when you still have about 400 people under
surveillance in Port Harcourt and Lagos?

"You are aware of what is happening at the Obafemi Awolowo University.
How are we sure that there is no primary or secondary school pupil
that has had contact with an Ebola patient.It's good that the NMA
(Nigerian Medical Association) has spoken and we have told them too
that we would not cooperate with them. That is why we are going to
take a drastic action on Tuesday to protect ourselves and our
children.I can tell you that we will shun schools; we won't cooperate
with them.
In other words, we will embark on strike."