The resumption of academic activities in public schools across Oyo State has brought relief to students and teachers, with many expressing optimism that attendance would improve from Monday.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) ordered the closure of public schools about a month ago, disrupting academic calendars and school activities.
The NUT in Oyo State suspended its indefinite strike, directing public primary and secondary school teachers to resume academic duties.
The strike, which began on June 1, followed the abduction of teachers and pupils in the Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The NUT directed public school teachers in the state to resume work following assurances from the state government regarding security.
The government’s commitments to the union included deploying a joint security task force to patrol vulnerable schools, upgrading the Safe School Initiative, and actively working to rescue the abducted individuals.
Some students who spoke in Ibadan on Friday about their experiences said they adopted self-study measures to keep up with preparations for external examinations during the strike.
Ayisa Oni and Oyindamola Akinola, both senior secondary school students of Oba Akinbiyi High School I, said they continued studying for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
They also said preparations were being made at the same time for the forthcoming National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
Similarly, Rokibat Oseni, a junior secondary school III student of Ikolaba High School, Agodi GRA, said she and her classmates were initially distressed when they resumed school on the fateful Monday, only to be informed that public schools had been shut indefinitely due to the strike ordered by the NUT.
According to her, it was particularly worrying because of the forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
“We therefore decided among ourselves to study past questions and mark them with the answers provided in the compilation.
“We also met regularly to discuss subjects such as Civic Education, Social Studies and Basic Technology,” she said.
Mrs Oseni said the announcement of suspension of the strike came unexpectedly on Wednesday evening through the school’s old students’ association.
She said the news of the strike’s suspension was well received by all public school students.
She stated that while some students, including her, resumed on Thursday, many are expected to be in school on Monday.
A teacher at Oke’badan High School, Oke-Ofa, who preferred anonymity, said student turnout was still low on the first day of resumption, but expressed optimism that attendance would improve from Monday.
The teacher noted that some students had taken up apprenticeships and vocational activities during the strike to remain engaged.
“I hope the engagement will not deter them from returning to school, now that the strike has been called off,” he said.
Also speaking, Ibitayo Oluwatayo of St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Basorun, said she did not regard the strike period as a holiday because she remained deeply concerned about the abducted teachers and students in Ogbomoso and prayed for their safe return.
“I intend to intensify lessons to complete the term’s scheme of work, subject to approval,” she said, while urging candidates preparing for examinations later in the year to complement classroom teaching with personal study.