EJIOFOR TOOCHI CYNTHIA
It’s been months since the ASUU strike commenced, forcing public varsities to shut down, and sending students back home. It’s unfortunate that the Federal Government and ASUU have not reached an agreement has yet, preventing students from returning to their classes. While some may have transferred to other universities, others are compelled to wait. One wonders how these students are coping. What have they been up to? How have they maintained their sanity?
In truth, quite a number have been forced to direct their energy and time to other endeavors. Why sit around doing nothing when one can intern, learn a new skill, or work and be paid? The clever ones have made good use of this chance and are currently profiting from it rather than just taking on house errands at home. They’ve come to understand that in this generation and country, experience and skills are as important as a degree.
However, despite the plethora of opportunities and extended time that accompany the strike period, some would rather choose to graduate quickly, “I’ve gotten really better at sewing, I wasn’t half as good as I was last year. But I want the strike to end, it’s depressing and reminds me that I have a long way to go in Unilag. I’ve kept my mind occupied to avoid depression by learning new skills and sewing,” says Kadibia. Another Unilag student, Valentina concurs, “I want to finish this year two, three, four and leave.” She too has kept herself busy with work. “I’ve been sewing, and it’s been a great hobby!”
While many students would be ready to get back to class, it might surprise you to learn that others would want the strike to last until next year. This proportion of students who are reluctant to resume are like Victor, who picked up new interests. “I have already gotten used to not being a student plus the whole strike situation has become tiring in the sense that I really don’t care again. Work has been keeping me busy.” In order to avoid being constrained by the strike, they have sought new interests or jobs, and whether the strike is called off or not, they are content with their present life.
The challenge is in trying to keep sanity throughout the strike and make progress. Though many students didn’t anticipate the strike lasting this long, they are now trying to make the best of it and that’s what matters.
The system will forever be rigged against us, because at the end of the day, ASUU gets settled but students never get compensated for time wasted. May God deliver us.
In as much as I’d like to be done with school and all, I’m grateful for the opportunities I got outside the four walls of the classroom. Asuu strike to me is a blessing
It’s work that has kept me busy. School isn’t even the first thing on my mind right now.
In as much I am not inclined to the ASUU strike but it serves to redirect Nigerians and indeed Nigerian students that paper( certificate Education) is not the all in all. Skill acquisition is a very important rudiment of learning. In the civilised world and some African countries, one is assessed by skill not paper qualification, methinks there is very positive side to this ASUU strike, Tochy my sister is now a skilled fashion designer and a prolific writer, thanks to the ASUU strike.
It’s very unfortunate that APC government that came to power on the mantra of CHANGE bluntly refused to put premium on education which is the bedrock of any development. Indeed both parents and students alike are at the receiving end of the ineptitude of this government bad governance, as a result Nigerians should wake from their slumber and elect a president that would be hands on come 2023 election. Once beaten they say twice shy.
I grateful that I could do things with my life this break but ASUU should call off the strike🙂
I think every affected students should make efforts in gaining real life skills that matter. The world is changing and no one wants to graduate and then realise later on. The ASUU strike has created more opportunities than imagined in my opinion.
Well, while it is true that the strike has given me the opportunity to do some certain things, I still want it to be called off abeg
I am not inclined to ASUU strike but this long strike has come to teach Nigerians and Nigerian students that skill acquisition is an integral part of education. In developed economies of the world people are employed and rated by their skills and not according to the certification or degrees they obtained from Universities. Methinks that the ASUU strike is a blessing in disguise, Toochi my sister is now a good fashion designer as we as a prolific writer, thanks to the ASUU strike.
Thanks for this lovely article Cynthia.
It is sad to see how bad things have become in the educational sector.
For those utilising this period to learn new skills. All the best.