The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of tertiary education in the state, following a warning strike embarked upon by various staff unions in major government-owned institutions.
The institutions affected by the industrial action include Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Kaduna State College of Education in Gidan Waya, Kaduna State College of Nursing, and Shehu Idris College of Health Technology, Makarfi.
The staff unions in these institutions downed tools on Thursday to protest against what they described as deplorable working conditions and the alarming level of infrastructural decay within their campuses.
In a statement issued on Friday, the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Edward Masha, described the strike as a direct indictment of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration under Governor Uba Sani.
According to him, the strike should serve as a wake-up call for the state government, which he accused of grossly neglecting the education sector despite substantial financial allocations received over the past two years.
Masha warned that the ongoing disruption threatens to derail the academic calendar and poses a serious risk to the academic progression and psychological well-being of thousands of students. He lamented that the situation could lead to prolonged graduation timelines and mental stress for students who are already grappling with educational uncertainties.
“The strike action is a reflection of this administration’s failure to prioritize human capital development,” Masha stated. “Education is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and the government owes it to both students and educators to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”
The PDP chairman further called on Governor Uba Sani to engage directly with the striking unions in good faith and address their grievances through sincere and constructive dialogue. He stressed that prompt intervention is critical to restoring normalcy in the academic sector and averting a full-scale crisis.
While expressing solidarity with the affected lecturers and students, the PDP reassured the public of its commitment to advocating for a responsible and responsive government that genuinely invests in education and youth development.
The party also appealed to residents of Kaduna State to remain calm and hopeful, urging them to continue placing their trust in the PDP’s vision of reclaiming the state from what it termed “a failing and indifferent administration” through democratic means.
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