This was contained in a statement entitled ‘Suspension of Strike’, signed by the State Chairman and Senior State Secretary of NUT, Edet Emenyi and Victor Amirize respectively.

The statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Uyo, said that the suspension of the strike was sequel to the agreement reached between the state government and leadership of the union.

The statement read, “The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Akwa Ibom State wing hereby suspend its industrial action earlier declared against the Akwa Ibom State government from midnight of Tuesday 15th March, 2022.

“This is sequel to negotiation between the government team led by His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel and the leadership of the NUT led by Comrade Edet Emenyi on the 17th day of March 2022.

The leadership of the Union, therefore, directed that all teachers resume normal academic activities from Monday, March 21, 2022.

The Union noted that both parties also agreed on the appointment of a Committee comprising of NUT, NLC, and government representatives to dialogue on the template for instalment payment of 2019, 2020, and 2021 leave grants to primary school teachers. Others include payment of promotion arrears for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 to primary Schools teachers, immediate commencement of 2019, 2020, 2021 promotion exercise to teachers and payment of 7.5percent contributory pension refunds to teachers as soon as records are reconciled and other issues listed in the strike bulletin.

The NUT appreciated the teachers, parents and students for showing understanding throughout the period of the strike and pray that government will keep to it side of the agreement reached to avoid any other disruption of the school system.

It was reported on Tuesday that the Senate announced plans to amend the law establishing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, so as to limit the age of a candidate sitting the UTME to 16 years and above.

The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic Education, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who gave the indication during the committee’s oversight visit to JAMB, said this would prevent under-aged candidates from participating in the examination for the purpose of gaining admission into universities in Nigeria.

In his reaction, the Secretary-General, NUT, Dr Mike Ike-Ene, said it was not ideal for a student to sit for the UTME at under 16 years, adding that it would be good if the law was amended.

He stated, “If you have done your pedagogy, you don’t need to ask whether it is good or bad. The Senate should be quite correct if it pegs the age of the candidates at 16 years. If you talk of gifted children, how many are in a class? Whoever must have argued for it must be an expert in sociology and psychology. It is not ideal for any child to go and take the UTME or school certificate exam under 16 years. Even those in the university are just there to satisfy their parents. It is not encouraging. It pains me when I see a child not up to one year and they are already taking her to school. It is wrong; the child should first be educated at home. When you rush a child too early, the child rushes out too early without learning. Parents should dedicate more time to their children. If a child enters school at eight years, you will notice that he/she will be more mature than his/her other mates, who may be six or seven years old in the same class.”

The President, ANCOPSS, Mr Anselm Izuagie, maintained that there should be no age limit to education.

He said “I don’t think it is necessary; anybody can pick up at any time; so, you deny them the opportunity of entering into the university because not everyone will complete secondary school at the age of 16 years. People pick up educationally at different times, as such, there should be no age limit to education”

President, NPTAN, Mr Haruna Danjuma, said writing the UTME at an early age would be of no benefit to students.

He said “If the government says a minimum of 16 years is okay, there is nothing wrong with that. They should stick to it because allowing a child to write the UTME at an early age will not be of benefit to the child. Government should also improve on education and provide everything the students need to perform well,”