Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the role and significance of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) in Nigeria.
• Explain the objectives and core activities of COEASU in promoting teacher education.
• Identify the causes and impacts of COEASU strikes on colleges of education and students.

Overview

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) represents academic staff in Nigerian colleges of education. COEASU is focused on improving the welfare of lecturers in these institutions, ensuring that colleges of education are adequately funded, and promoting the development of teacher education. This lesson will explore the history, objectives, and challenges of COEASU, as well as the effects of its strikes on both academic staff and students.

History of COEASU

• Founded in 1989, COEASU was established to advocate for the rights and welfare of academic staff in colleges of education across Nigeria. The union serves as a platform to address challenges related to working conditions, funding, and the recognition of colleges of education as key institutions in teacher training.
• Over the years, COEASU has been instrumental in negotiating for better salaries, improved infrastructure, and more support for teacher education. It has also been involved in several industrial actions to ensure that the government meets its obligations to colleges of education.

Key Objectives of COEASU

COEASU is dedicated to advancing the interests of academic staff in colleges of education while also working to improve the quality of teacher education in Nigeria. Its key objectives include:

1. Advocating for Adequate Funding for Colleges of Education:
   • COEASU consistently pushes for increased government funding to improve infrastructure, provide learning materials, and ensure that colleges of education are equipped to deliver quality teacher education programs.
2. Improving the Welfare of Academic Staff:
   • The union advocates for fair salaries, allowances, and better working conditions for lecturers. COEASU seeks to ensure that lecturers in colleges of education receive equal recognition and benefits similar to their counterparts in universities and polytechnics.
3. Promoting Teacher Education:
   • COEASU plays a key role in advocating for the improvement of teacher training programs in Nigeria. The union stresses the importance of high-quality education for future teachers, recognizing that teachers are the foundation of any education system.
4. Ensuring Job Security and Professional Development:
   • The union also advocates for job security, timely promotions, and opportunities for professional development for academic staff in colleges of education.

COEASU Strikes

COEASU has frequently resorted to strikes as a means to pressure the government into addressing the challenges facing colleges of education. The strikes often disrupt academic activities, but they are seen as necessary to bring attention to the issues affecting these institutions.

1. Causes of Strikes:
   • Strikes by COEASU are typically caused by issues such as:
     • Inadequate funding for colleges of education.
     • Delays in the payment of salaries and allowances to lecturers.
     • Failure by the government to implement agreements made with COEASU.
     • Poor infrastructure and lack of teaching resources.
     • Discrepancies in the treatment of academic staff in colleges of education compared to universities and polytechnics.
2. Impact on Students:
   • Strikes disrupt the academic calendar, delaying graduation and affecting students’ progress. These disruptions can lead to frustration among students, particularly those eager to complete their training and enter the teaching profession.
3. Impact on Teacher Education:
   • Prolonged industrial actions can negatively affect the quality of teacher education. Gaps in instruction, limited resources, and unstable academic schedules can hinder the effective training of future teachers.
4. Government and Union Negotiations:
   • Strikes often lead to negotiations between COEASU and the government. These negotiations typically focus on issues such as increased funding, salary arrears, and infrastructural development. However, the failure to fully implement agreements often results in recurring strikes.

Positive Outcomes of COEASU’s Activism

Despite the challenges, COEASU’s activism has led to several positive outcomes for Nigerian colleges of education:

• Improved Funding for Teacher Training: In some cases, COEASU’s efforts have resulted in the release of funds for infrastructure upgrades and teaching materials in colleges of education.
• Salary Adjustments and Better Welfare Packages: The union has successfully negotiated salary increments and improved welfare conditions for lecturers, although disparities with other tertiary institutions still exist.
• Greater Recognition of Colleges of Education: Through its advocacy, COEASU has helped elevate the status of colleges of education in the national discourse, highlighting the crucial role they play in shaping Nigeria’s education system.

Challenges Facing COEASU

Despite its successes, COEASU continues to face several challenges, including:

• Inconsistent Government Response: The government’s failure to fully implement agreements often leads to recurring industrial actions, causing frustration among both lecturers and students.
• Funding Inequities: Colleges of education continue to receive less funding than universities and polytechnics, making it difficult to achieve parity in terms of infrastructure and staff welfare.
• Public Perception of Strikes: Frequent strikes have led to negative perceptions of COEASU, with some students and the public viewing the strikes as a disruption rather than a solution to the issues in teacher education.

Recent Developments

In recent years, COEASU has continued to engage with the Nigerian government to address unresolved issues, including salary arrears and the inadequate funding of colleges of education. In 2022, COEASU embarked on a nationwide strike to press for the implementation of agreements made with the government, but progress in resolving these issues has been slow.

Conclusion

COEASU plays a vital role in advocating for the welfare of lecturers and the improvement of teacher education in Nigeria. While its strikes have caused disruptions, its efforts have led to several positive changes, such as improved funding and better working conditions. Understanding COEASU’s role in Nigerian education highlights the ongoing challenges faced by colleges of education and the need for continued advocacy to strengthen teacher training.