Universities Will Endanger Students, ASUU Tells FG

Universities Will Endanger Students, ASUU Tells FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has advised the Federal Government against reopening universities amid the raging COVID -19 pandemic.

It said it could pose a great danger to students.

The union maintained that lack of adequate infrastructure made converging on the campuses a big risk in light of the pandemic.

ASUU’s position is at variance with the students, who are demanding the resumption of academic activities on campuses.

ASUU tweeted about this on Tuesday.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities has faulted the plan by the Federal Government to reopen public universities in the country.

“Our position is that universities should remain close until the right thing is done to enable students comply with the COVID-19 safety protocols,” it tweeted.

The Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of the union, Prof. Lawan Abubakar, during a press briefing on Tuesday, stressed that any move by government to reopen universities could be “perilous’’.

He said, “Most public universities lacked the infrastructure that would enable students comply with putting safety protocols in place, thereby, making them prone to contracting the dreaded virus.
“ASUU is not in support of government’s plan to reopen universities.”

He added :”If students resume now, is it the grossly inadequate lecture halls, workshops, hostels or laboratories that will give them the opportunity to observe social distancing and other protocols?.”
The Minister of State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba, had on Monday, stated that discussions were ongoing regarding resumption of tertiary institutions.