The indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State has continued to raise concerns among parents and education stakeholders, with many worried about the effect of the prolonged school closure on children.
Public primary and secondary school teachers in the state have been on strike since June 1 following the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
Parents and teachers who spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday lamented that the closure had disrupted academic activities and left many children idle and vulnerable to negative influences.
A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, criticised what she described as the indifferent attitude of some parents towards the welfare and education of their children.
According to her, many parents leave their children unattended while they go to work or attend to their businesses.
“Many parents believe the government should do everything without making efforts themselves. The children are not being properly monitored, and even some of those placed under apprenticeship are not serious about learning,” she said.
Alao described the situation as unfortunate, noting that the strike came at a critical period when pupils and students were preparing for continuous assessment exercises.
She warned that when schools eventually resume, teachers may be forced to rush through the curriculum to make up for lost time.
She urged members of the public to take greater interest in mentoring children and keeping them engaged through reading, sports and other productive activities.
In the Mokola area of Ibadan, a parent, Mr Godwin Obinna, said the strike had resulted in many children roaming the streets, while others had been compelled to hawk goods for their parents.
“My children keep asking whether they will ever go back to school. I keep telling them the situation is temporary, but it is really unfair,” he said.
Obinna called on the state government to address the issues behind the strike and strengthen security measures in schools.
Another parent, Mrs Bolajoko Yusuf, said residents in her neighbourhood had adopted a communal approach to supervising children while parents are away.
“We all watch over the children because not everyone can stay at home. Parents leave instructions with their wards before going to work, and we ensure they remain safe,” she explained.
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For Mrs Adeola Aina, the solution was to enroll her children in tailoring apprenticeships to keep them occupied.
However, she noted that younger children between the ages of three and seven had been the most affected because they were too young for such programmes.
“They mostly spend their time playing around, and some parents leave them with neighbours or even alone,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs Tunrayo Adeyemo from the Total Garden area said her children spend most of their day playing after completing household chores.
“We are unhappy that they are at home instead of being in school, but there is little we can do. We can only pray for the safe release of the abducted children so that normal activities can resume,” she said.
The prolonged strike has continued to spark concerns about the future of public education in the state, with stakeholders urging the government and relevant authorities to find a lasting solution and ensure the safe return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
