After enduring a lengthy three-month strike, primary school pupils in Bwari Area Council, FCT, have returned to their classrooms—but their feelings are far from celebratory.
The strike, which began on March 24, 2025, was prompted by the non-payment of salaries and the delay in implementing the national minimum wage. Following a crucial stakeholders’ meeting convened by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) called off the industrial action, asking teachers to resume duties.
Still, many pupils were unsure what lay ahead. Primary Four pupil Joshua Peter explained the tension among his peers.
“We’re happy to be back, but it’s scary because private school students are already writing exams and getting ready for holidays,” Joshua said. “We’ve lost an entire term, and there’s no clear plan yet.”
He also mentioned that classes hadn’t resumed fully, as pupils were asked to clean their classrooms and the school compound.
Similarly, Mercy Gwoza said she feared teachers might rush through lessons.
“I’m glad we’re back, but I hope they don’t hurry too much and miss important topics,” she said.
Jamiu Mahmoud echoed these concerns, saying he worried about struggling with schoolwork after such a long break.
Parents also raised alarms. Mrs. Manji Amos expressed mixed feelings about the resumption.
“The children are back in school, but what about the academic gap? The authorities need to act fast,” she said.
Education expert Mr. Tanimu Abdulmalik recommended swift academic assessments and focused lesson plans to bridge learning deficits. He also advised extending school hours or organizing weekend classes.
Meanwhile, Educa.ng’s school visit revealed that some reopened schools had yet to resume formal lessons, leaving pupils idle.
