The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the government at all levels to deploy more funds to the education sector.

Nanmwa Doncir, the Bauchi zonal acting coordinator of the union, made the call in a news conference on Friday in Jos, Plateau State capital. The Bauchi zone of the union consists of universities in Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.

Mr Doncir, who described the current funding structure for the education sector as grossly abysmal, maintained that the poor funding had been part of its struggle.

”The commitment of governments to funding education has been very disappointing.

”For example, from 2010 till date, budgetary allocation to education has not reached 10 per cent in any year. In 2024, it is 6.39 per cent. Is this figure capable of renewing hope in education?

”Consequently, efforts to address the shortage of lecture rooms and theatres, inadequate hostels and office accommodation, poor laboratories, studios, workshops and other utilities have been frustrated,” he said.

Mr Doncir said the lack of adequate funding for universities and the education sector, in general, had forced heads of institutions to jack up tuition fees, levies and other sundry charges. He said this contributes to the rising number of out-of-school children.

”Our union condemns the wave of hike in school fees without any corresponding inputs from the government to adequately fund education.

”We believe that federal and state governments can make resources available to fund education, particularly universities, to reduce excessive pressure on parents as being currently done.

”You know that ASUU has rejected the students’ loan scheme, which, to us, is being promoted by international monetary lending agencies,” Mr Doncir said.

The acting zonal coordinator said the students’ loan scheme was a ploy to divert public funds into private universities and called on the government to shelve the scheme in the public’s interest.

Mr Doncir also called on the federal government to implement all the outstanding agreements reached with ASUU, insisting that such a move would promote industrial harmony.

He particularly called on the government to pay the remaining outstanding salaries of four months owed its members.

Mr Doncir also called on Nigerians to support the union in its quest to ensure that the government provide quality and affordable education for all.

(NAN)