The indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State has continued, raising concerns among parents and education stakeholders over its impact on pupils and students.
Parents and teachers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Wednesday said the closure of public schools has left many children idle and disrupted academic activities.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to begin an indefinite strike on June 1. The strike followed the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
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A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, said some parents were not adequately supervising their children during the strike. She added that some children placed under apprenticeship were not serious about learning the trade.
Alao noted that the strike came at a period when pupils and students were about to begin continuous assessment, and schools may have to rush academic activities to cover the curriculum when they resume.
A parent in Ibadan, Mr Godwin Obinna, said the strike had led to children roaming the streets while others engaged in hawking. He urged the state government to resolve the issues that led to the strike and strengthen security in schools.
Another parent, Mrs Bolajoko Yusuf, said parents in her neighbourhood had adopted a community approach to supervising children during the strike.
Mrs Adeola Aina said she enrolled her older children in tailoring apprenticeships, but younger children aged 3 to 7 were most affected as they were too young for such programmes.
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