King’s College crisis deepens as workers reject strike suspension

The crisis surrounding King's College, Lagos, escalated on Tuesday as workers representing Federal Ministry of Education colleges rejected a call for a suspension of their ongoing strike. The Joint Workers Council of the Federal Ministry of Education firmly opposed the Trade Union Congress' (TUC) decision to suspend the industrial action.

This comes after an agreement was reached on Monday between the Federal Government, TUC, and other stakeholders regarding the management of King's College. Despite this agreement, the colleges remained closed across the country. At a protest in Abuja, the Joint Council's Chairman, Abraham Onuche, accused the TUC of not participating in the negotiations, questioning how they could suspend an action they had no involvement in.

Onuche noted that the unions requested a meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on July 6, to present their concerns but have not received a response. Furthermore, the workers demanded that the government revoke a waiver allowing the recruitment of over 3,000 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) staff into other Federal Unity Colleges, if the King's College concession proceeds.

This move, they argue, could set a precedent for other institutions' old students' associations to demand similar concessions. The unions are concerned about preserving access to quality education for disadvantaged children and maintaining public ownership of schools. They oppose partnerships that could lead to private ownership and potential fee increases.

The King's College Old Boys Association, however, denies plans to acquire the college, stating that the Federal Executive Council approved the transfer of management, not ownership, to them. They aim to rehabilitate the school's facilities and restore its former glory.