Asuu blames federal government for poor funding of tertiary education
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has consistently blamed the Federal Government for the poor funding of tertiary education in Nigeria. Here are some reasons why:
- Insufficient Allocation: ASUU has repeatedly complained that the Federal Government allocates inadequate funds to the education sector, which has led to a decline in the quality of education in Nigerian universities. According to ASUU, the government's allocation to education is below the recommended 26% of the national budget.
- Underfunding of Research: ASUU argues that the government's failure to provide adequate funding for research has hindered the development of new knowledge and innovations in Nigerian universities. This, in turn, has affected the quality of education and the ability of universities to produce graduates who can compete globally.
- Poor Infrastructure: ASUU has criticized the government for failing to provide adequate infrastructure in Nigerian universities, including classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and hostels. This has led to a decline in the overall learning environment and the ability of students to access quality education.
- Lack of Funding for Staff Development: ASUU has complained that the government has not provided adequate funding for staff development, which has led to a decline in the quality of teaching and research in Nigerian universities. This has also affected the morale of academic staff, leading to a brain drain in the sector.
- Inadequate Funding for Students' Welfare: ASUU has criticized the government for failing to provide adequate funding for students' welfare, including scholarships, bursaries, and other forms of financial assistance. This has led to a decline in the ability of students to access quality education and has increased the burden on students and their families.
- Inequitable Distribution of Funds: ASUU has argued that the government's allocation of funds to universities is not equitable, with some universities receiving more funding than others. This has led to a decline in the quality of education in some universities and has created a sense of inequality among students and academic staff.
- Lack of Transparency and Accountability: ASUU has criticized the government for failing to provide transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of funds for tertiary education. This has led to a lack of trust between the government and academic staff, and has hindered the ability of universities to effectively manage their resources.
Overall, ASUU's criticism of the Federal Government's funding of tertiary education in Nigeria is based on the fact that the government has failed to provide adequate funding for the sector, which has led to a decline in the quality of education and the ability of universities to produce graduates who can compete globally.