Mixed feelings as FCT pupils resume after 3-month strike
By Veronica Dariya
Some public primary school pupils in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed mixed feelings and uncertainty following the suspension of a three-month-long teachers’ strike.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, the pupils said they were concerned about lost academic time and unsure how the missed term would be recovered.
NAN reports that primary school teachers in the FCT, under the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), embarked on an indefinite strike on March 24 over unpaid minimum wage and other welfare concerns.
The NUT, in a communiqué on Tuesday, directed its members to return to the classroom on Wednesday, following interventions by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
Joshua Peter, a Primary Four pupil, said many pupils were excited to resume learning but remained unsure how they would catch up.
“We have lost the second term already, while our counterparts in private schools are already writing their examinations and preparing for the holidays.
“I don’t know how they intend to cover the scheme of work we missed, but one thing I’m sure of is that we will be in school while others are on break,” he said.
Peter added that since resumption, teachers had not yet started lessons but had asked pupils to clean the school premises.
“I am hopeful that full lessons will begin soon,” he said.
Similarly, Mercy Gwoza, another pupil, said she was glad to be back in class but worried about the workload required to catch up.
She noted that it was likely the teachers would rush through the curriculum to cover lost ground, and she hoped the process would not face further disruptions.
Another pupil, Jamiu Mahmoud, said he was happy to reunite with his classmates after the long break but anxious about returning to academic work.
He expressed concern that his performance might decline due to the disruption and prayed for God’s guidance and success during the recovery period.
A parent, Mrs Manji Amos, said it was a relief to see the children back in school.
However, she stressed that the affected pupils were now at a disadvantage in terms of syllabus coverage and academic progress.
She urged school authorities and teachers to manage the situation proactively and avoid any further actions that could harm the children’s development.
Meanwhile, a school proprietor and education consultant, Mr Tanimu Abdulmalik, recommended that teachers conducted quick assessments to determine the pupils’ current academic levels and the extent of learning loss.
“They can start with short diagnostic tests or oral assessments in key subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, and focus on topics essential for exams and progression,” he said.
Abdulmalik also suggested implementing a Compressed Teaching Plan, condensing the syllabus and prioritising core topics.
He recommended extending learning hours, adding extra classes before or after school, or even introducing weekend sessions to help recover lost time.
A NAN correspondent who visited some of the schools observed that while there was full compliance with the resumption directive in most schools, a few had pupils present without any teachers in their classrooms. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Abiemwense Moru
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