An interest group, Association of Concerned Parents of Oyo State, has accused teachers in the state of spearheading the ongoing strike to jeopardise the educational development of their children and wards.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by its Chairman, Chief Moses Oderinde, the association berated teachers in public schools for being at the vanguard of the industrial action.
The statement said: “It is highly unfortunate that the teachers, who are supposed to be concerned with the progress of their pupils, are the ones threatening fire and brimstone, if the strike is ever called off.
“It is so bad that even when their leaders, who appeared to have exhibited enough understanding with the government, suggested that the strike should be suspended to allow for further negotiation on the minimum wage, it is this group of teachers who have refused to be convinced.”
It expressed the regret that at a time when the teachers ought to be concerned with how their students would come out in flying colours in the forthcoming WAEC and NECO examinations, the teachers had allowed themselves to be used to further bastardise the already troubled education sector in the state.
It added: “It is still fresh in our memories the woeful performances of Oyo State students in the last WAEC and NECO examinations. This should naturally call for sober reflection from all stakeholders on how to urgently address the situation.
“From our assessment of the situation since the minimum wage agitation has started, we are tempted to believe that the teachers, most of who did not support the emergence of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi as governor in the first instance, are seizing this opportunity to destabilise his government.”
The association therefore urged the teachers to support their leaders in an attempt at reconsidering their stand on the wage issue so that the state could move forward.