The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has called for stronger collaboration among teachers, parents, government and other stakeholders to address the challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector.
The union stressed that improving the quality of education cannot be achieved by teachers alone, noting that the development of students requires the collective responsibility of families, schools and government at all levels.
ASUSS has consistently advocated a collaborative approach to education, arguing that teachers need to be actively involved in policy formulation and implementation, while parents and communities must also play their part in supporting schools and monitoring students’ progress.
The union said effective cooperation would help tackle some of the major problems affecting secondary education, including examination malpractice, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, teacher shortages, poor welfare and declining academic standards.
It also urged parents to take a greater interest in their children’s education rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to teachers and school authorities. According to the union, parents should maintain regular communication with schools, monitor their children’s academic performance and encourage discipline and responsible behaviour.
On the part of government, ASUSS called for improved funding, recruitment of qualified teachers, provision of teaching materials and better working conditions for education workers.
The union further emphasised the need for stronger security around schools, particularly amid recent incidents of attacks and abductions involving teachers and students. Such incidents, it noted, can create fear among educators, students and parents and disrupt academic activities.
ASUSS maintained that meaningful progress in the education sector would require all stakeholders to work together instead of operating in isolation.
It therefore appealed to the Federal and state governments, parents, teachers, school proprietors and communities to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in order to build a safer, better-funded and more effective education system.
The union said investing in teachers and creating the right learning environment would ultimately benefit students and contribute to the development of the country.