The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), has said that there is no going back on its plans to shut down all schools in the state if government fails to reinstate its chairman, who was forced go on compulsory retirement.
The Bauchi state acting Secretary of the union, Comrade Bala Ayuba disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after the union’s meeting at the weekend, saying that the measure become necessary to protect the future of education in the state because, according to him, government has resorted to victimization of teachers.
Comrade Ayuba added that the teachers in the state received with dismay and shocking news of the issuing of compulsory retirement of its fearless chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Tanko Ningi, whose contribution to education cannot be over emphasised.
“We have directed teachers across the state to shun classes and proceed on peaceful protest in the state capital, to demand for the immediate reinstatement of our great chairman, whose compulsory retirement is a calculated attempt by Yuguda administration and its agents to damage the future of our children”, said Comrade Ayuba.
He wondered why government was in a haste to compulsory retire its chairman when the union had already taken a legal action against the government against witch-hunting teachers and demanding to pay its members their benefits, describing the action as a jumping the gun.
He affirmed that teachers would not embark on strike, which has been the usual option, but will stage a protest, to express their displeasure over the non-chalant attitude of government over the plights of its members.
ASUSS, according to him, will continue to give their mandates to the retired chairman, as its leader, given is leaders charisma, explaining that his compulsory retirement is the dream of Yuguda and not that of teachers.
“Let me tell you, Tanko Ningi still remains our Chairman; even if government refuses to re-instates him back”, Ayuba fumed.
“We, therefore, call on stakeholders, individuals and respected politician with a view to intervene determine to rescue the drift in the education system under the leadership of Yuguda.