Old students of federal government colleges are working to articulate a position paper they will put forward to government to reinvigorate education sector with emphasis on unity schools.
Representative Abdulrahman Shuaibu, a trustee on the board of Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA), who represents Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha, said the House has previously passed a motion for government to update infrastructure in unity schools.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives have lawmakers who are products of unity schools. Shuaibu attended Federal Government College, Maiduguri between 1978 and 1983.
“We have benefited from these schools. We need to bring a lot to bear. We need to create the environment so that our present children can benefit the way we benefited,” said Shuaibu on the sidelines of the 33rd plenary of USOSA in Abuja.
“Infrastructure was perfect, the teachers were perfect, everything was going well when we were there. So we want to return those glory days.”
Commenting on how unity schools have shifted over the years, Shuaibu said the schools previously and at present are “completely at tail ends of each other.”
Citing decaying infrastructure, lack of amenities and a dearth of trained and dedicated teachers, he said, “You have completely the opposite today.”
USOSA has also previously submitted a position paper to government back in 2013 and continues “actively working with government to improve education overall,” said Ayodele Joseph, chairman of USOSA’s caretaker committee which ushered in new executives for the association at its 33rd plenary.
“We are involved in policy making at all levels of education. We believe federal government is making steps to ensure products of unity schools are involved in restructuring education sector in the country.”
