By John Dike, Osogbo
The President of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Sola Adigun, has congratulated members of the union across the country on the celebration of Christmas and the forthcoming New Year, commending their dedication, resilience, and sacrifices throughout the outgoing year.
In a goodwill message to ASUSS members, Comrade Adigun described Christmas as a season for reflection on shared values of service, sacrifice, and hope, noting that secondary school teachers have continued to perform their duties diligently despite numerous challenges.
He reaffirmed the critical role of teachers in national development, stating that secondary school educators remain central to character formation, academic excellence, and nation-building, often working under conditions that do not reflect the importance of their responsibilities.
The ASUSS President acknowledged recent interventions by the Federal Government in the education sector, particularly policies aimed at improving infrastructure, teacher capacity, and curriculum delivery, describing them as commendable and deserving of continuity and strengthening.
He, however, urged governments at all levels to ensure the full and unconditional implementation of the Teachers Service Year Elongation Act, stressing that the law must be applied in its entirety without ambiguity in order to retain experienced teachers and enhance stability within the education system.
Comrade Adigun also praised state governments that have demonstrated commitment to education through prompt payment of salaries, settlement of promotion arrears, and improvement of learning environments, noting that such actions have a direct impact on educational outcomes.
Despite these positives, he expressed concern over persistent challenges in the sector, including underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, poor facilities, and inconsistent policy implementation, which he said continue to undermine effective teaching and learning in many parts of the country.
On the issue of insecurity, the ASUSS President expressed gratitude for the safe return of students who were previously kidnapped, appreciating the collective efforts that led to their rescue. He warned, however, that such incidents must not become normalised.
He called for urgent improvement in school security nationwide, emphasising that as schools prepare to resume after the holidays, governments must take decisive steps to guarantee the safety of staff and students through enhanced security measures and proactive intelligence.
Comrade Adigun urged ASUSS members to remain united, professional, and committed to their calling, while wishing them a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
He expressed hope that the coming year would bring better policies, improved security, full respect for teachers’ rights, and renewed commitment to quality education across Nigeria.
