International Day for Education: FCT Village Head Draws Government Attention to Plight of Out of School Children
Paschal Emeka, Abuja
Following the industrial action embarked by teachers in public primary schools under the Local Education Authority, (LEA), in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Village Head, who doubles as the Asugeri of Idu, the host community of Idu Industrial Area, Chief Muhammad Bawa Makama has drawn the attention of the Area Councils and the teachers in LEA schools to the plights of the children in public primary schools and the negative impact the industrial action might have on them.
The Asugeri Idu also drew the attention of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to the menace of insecurity in the nation’s capital.
The Village Head sent his message across, while the marking 2024 International Day for Education (IDE), with the theme: Learning for Lasting Peace.
Speaking on the teachers’ strike and the need for the government to dialogue with the teachers, he noted with seriousness that the abandoning school children, the leaders of tomorrow, to roam around aimlessly, without going to school will never augur well with the country.
He reminded those in authority that the teachers deserve proper treatment, saying that without teachers, those in authority would not have been there, today.
He also added that the children when given proper training and education would turn up to be good leaders, and the result according to him will be a better society.
“Please, let the government take the issue of education serious, for the interest of our children, who are the tomorrow’s leaders,” he pleaded.
The Village leader appealed to the teachers to always tamper justice with mercy.
He also enjoined them to always dialogue with the government, for the interest of the children.
Chief Mohammed Bawa Makama however noted that children cannot do without the teachers, he therefore reiterated the need for restraint.
On the area of insecurity, he advised each Area Councils to encourage members of vigilante in every locality to prevent the evil menace of kidnappers, even as he appealed to the Federal Government to assist the FCTA in the fight.
He said that the local vigilantes knows every nooks and crannies of their communities, hence the need to nurture and propagate the concept of neighbourhood watch.
He also observed with concern that if nothing serious is done, the kidnappers may take over the villages of the FCT, even as he showed concern over the children who wallow about in the streets, to the mercy of the kidnappers, as a result of the strike embarked by their teachers.
