Kidnappings: Parents express worry over planned withdrawal of services by NUT

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

The National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has expressed concern over the threat by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to withdraw its members from schools amid the rising spate of insecurity in the country.

The association, which is the umbrella body for all parents of students in public and private primary and secondary schools across the country, warned against any action that would further threaten the education system.

NAPTAN, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ademola Ekundayo, also renewed its call on the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to organise a dialogue involving representatives of various stakeholders in the education sector—especially parents, heads of academic institutions, and security agencies.

The parents’ association also warned the federal and state governments not to bow to pressure by closing down schools, as it would favour the terrorists whose mission is to ban education.

Besides, the association decried the attempt by teachers to withdraw their services, as it would not favour either the students or the parents. It said such an action would mean that the government had finally succumbed to the threats of the terrorists.

Ekundayo, who urged the federal government to embrace collaborative efforts to combat insecurity in schools across the country, said the war against insecurity could not be fought and won by the government alone.

While stressing the need for all parents to be conscious of the security of their children, Ekundayo also enjoined the government to beef up security in all schools in the country.