By Sade Adewale,  Ondo

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Parents in Ondo town have urged the Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to shift ground on the demands of the universities lecturers, which have paralyzed academic activities in the universities for more than two weeks.

Some parents who spoke with The Hope in different interviews further said that ASUU had embarked on the current strike to press for improved funding of universities and implementation of previous agreements with the government.

They noted that University lecturers are also angry over the failure of the government to honour their agreement as it was promised by them.

A parent, Mrs. Bukola Ajayi  decried the incessant strikes in the tertiary institutions and called on the government and the union to find a lasting solution to the problem, which she claimed impacted negatively on the standard of education in the country.

She noted that nobody is paying attention to ASUU’s dimension of the problem, adding that there is  no way the performance of the Nigerian graduates won’t be abysmal in an atmosphere where the students learn in fits and starts.

According to her, it is very disturbing that Nigeria is yet to find a lasting solution to the cycle of strikes in the tertiary institutions. She said it is high time the government took a decisive action to end this disturbing strike.

Ajayi further noted that government must rise to its responsibility in fulfilling its part of the agreement.

She advised that the two parties, in the interest of the students and the nation at large, to shift their ground and try to reach a middle ground in their agitations.

Also, Mr Adeseye Olakunle said that strike should be an option that must not be resorted to because of its devastating effects on the education system.

He noted that government has not devoted enough funds to education as they should adding that it has affected the universities and schools in general, negatively.

According to him, for government to say they don’t have money is wrong, ASUU should stick to their demand so that this can be settled once and for all.

“The union is also demanding implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreements, and the  renegotiation of the union’s agreements. FG is weak in the negotiation,” he stressed.

Also speaking, Mr. Michael Odunsola noted that ASUU should explore other means to mount pressure on the government to wake up to its responsibilities.

Odunsola added that the strike has effects of academic certificates when they are not respected in many places, that is why ASUU and FG need to shift ground so that the strike will not linger for so long.