King’s College: Education Minister Speaks on Fate of Teachers, Other Staff
Teachers and other workers at King’s College, Lagos, will not lose their jobs or be punished over the controversy surrounding the proposed management arrangement for the historic institution, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has assured.
The minister gave the categorical assurance after a high-level meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and other stakeholders to address concerns raised over the decision to allow the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the school.
Alausa said no member of staff would be dismissed, while the deployment of both academic and non-academic workers would be handled strictly in line with the Public Service Rules.
“There will be no demonisation or punishment of any member of staff,” the minister assured, as he sought to calm concerns among workers affected by the dispute.
He said implementation of the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the institution would proceed, but announced the constitution of a seven-member high-level committee to consider additional recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement already signed.
The committee will comprise two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two senior representatives of the TUC; and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys Association.
According to Alausa, the committee has one to two weeks to complete its assignment and submit recommendations for consideration.
The minister said the engagement was conducted in the spirit of mutual respect and national interest, acknowledging that stakeholders might not get everything they wanted but stressing that dialogue remained the best path towards a workable solution.
For the workers, the assurance provides some relief amid uncertainty over the future management of the century-old school.
Reacting to the outcome, TUC General Secretary, Comrade Nuhu Toro, described the meeting as “fruitful and robust,” saying the concerns of the unions were openly presented and considered in good faith.
Toro announced that the TUC would suspend the industrial action earlier directed against its affiliates to allow the new committee to carry out its assignment.
He, however, said the unions reserved the option of resuming the suspended action if necessary after the committee completes its work.
The TUC leader welcomed the committee, saying it would enable the unions to examine the relevant policy document, raise their concerns and contribute to its review before the parties reconvene within the stipulated period.
Toro also called for urgent intervention to address the deteriorating condition of King’s College, stressing that the current situation could not be allowed to continue.
He described the outcome of the meeting as a win-win, saying the unions secured assurances for their members while the government demonstrated willingness to revisit areas requiring further consideration.
The latest development comes as the Federal Government seeks to improve the management, infrastructure and learning environment in public schools while advancing its education agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
