- Oyo teachers’ strike has kept pupils out of school for weeks
- Parents fear children are becoming idle and vulnerable
- Stakeholders want the government to end the crisis quickly
The ongoing indefinite strike by public school teachers in Oyo State has continued to raise concerns among parents and education stakeholders, who fear its negative effects on pupils and students across the state.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that several parents and teachers who spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday expressed worries that the prolonged closure of public primary and secondary schools has disrupted learning, left many children idle and exposed them to harmful influences.
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The strike, which began on June 1 following a directive from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), was triggered by the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
A teacher, Mrs Yemisi Alao, criticised what she described as the lack of commitment shown by some parents toward their children’s education during the strike period.
According to her, many children are left unsupervised while their parents attend work or business activities.
She noted that some parents rely entirely on government intervention without taking active responsibility for their children’s welfare and future. Alao added that even some children placed in apprenticeship programmes were not fully engaged in learning useful skills.
Describing the situation as regrettable, she said the country often waits for crises to occur before taking action, rather than implementing preventive measures to protect children and secure their future.
While expressing hope for the safe release of the abducted pupils, Alao stressed the need for authorities and communities to develop long-term strategies that would guarantee the safety and education of all children.
She also pointed out that the industrial action came at a crucial academic period when schools were preparing for continuous assessment tests. According to her, when schools eventually reopen, teachers may be forced to rush through lessons to complete the curriculum.
Alao called on members of the public to support children through mentorship and constructive activities such as reading, sports and other educational engagements to keep them focused and away from criminal influences.
Another parent, Mr Godwin Obinna of Mokola, said many children had been seen roaming the streets or assisting their parents with petty trading activities since the strike began.
He explained that his children had become increasingly worried about the prolonged closure of schools and often asked when classes would resume.
Obinna appealed to the state government to quickly address the issues behind the strike and improve security arrangements in schools.
According to him, schools should be equipped with stronger security systems capable of preventing unauthorised access and protecting both teachers and students.
Mrs Bolajoko Yusuf, a resident of the Alaadorin area in Yemetu, said children in her neighbourhood now spend most of their time playing football, singing and engaging in recreational activities.
She revealed that parents in the area had adopted a community-based approach to monitoring children while adults were away at work, ensuring their safety and discouraging conflicts among them.
Similarly, Mrs Adeola Aina from Nalende said she enrolled her children in tailoring apprenticeships to keep them occupied and shield them from negative influences.
However, she observed that younger children between the ages of three and seven were more affected because they were too young to participate in apprenticeship programmes.
According to her, many of the younger children spend their days playing around, often under the care of neighbours or, in some cases, without adequate supervision.
Also speaking, Mrs Tunrayo Adeyemo of Total Garden lamented that her children now spend most of their time playing after completing household chores instead of attending classes.
She said parents were unhappy with the situation but remained hopeful that the abducted pupils would be rescued soon and that schools would reopen without further delay.
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