COEASU protests delay in provost appointment
NAN-H-24
Protest
Pankshin (Plateau) Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) Academic staff of the College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau, on Thursday protested alleged delay in the appointment of a substantive provost for the college.
The workers made the protest under the aegis of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), College of Education (FCE), Pankshin Chapter.
In a letter to the minister of education dated Nov. 14 and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the union, Mr Emmanuel Hemba and Mr Mershak Yenle respectively, the union described the alleged delay as “very unnecessary and detrimental’’ to educational standards.
“We have noted with disillusion the non-appointment of a substantive provost for the college since March, 2015, ‘’ the union stated in the letter, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pankshin.
“COEASU noted with dismay that the period allowed for an acting provost has since expired due to the stipulation that it is temporary and should not exceed six months and extendable for one or two months to allow for appointment of a substantive provost.
“Since March, 2016 when the Ministry of Education conducted an interview for the vacant position of the provost, staff and students have awaited with anticipation, the release of the result of the interview to no avail.
“The delay throws to the wind the proactive step taken at advertising the vacancy of the position of the provost in July, 2015, more than six months ahead of its expiration,’’ COEASU stated.
The union expressed dissatisfaction that the education ministry had appointed substantive provosts for Federal Colleges of Education, Obudu and Katsina.
It noted that the two other colleges of education held interviews for the appointment of their provosts two months after that of FCE, Pankshin.
According to COEASU, this engenders a feeling of discrimination against FCE Pankshin, insinuation of political machination, suspicion of vested interests and questions of the integrity of the process.
The union said that the delay was affecting the running of the college due to the limitations in an acting capacity.
COEASU called on the minister of education to appoint the provost.
“This, we believe, will be for the good of the education sector as well as help to raise the interest of the education above political interests and sectional sentiments.
“We trust the office of the honourable minister to consider this letter as bearing good intention,’’ the union urged. (NAN)
TYC/IGO
(Edited by Ijeoma Popoola)