Suggestion no.#2 ASUU should recast.
Every healthy organization needs to engage in periodic reassessment of its structure, goals and achievement and how these relate to one another so as to correct errors and improve on methods and output. Ideally, an outside audit is preferable, is sure to be more impartial and is normally less encumbered with self- interest and shortsightedness, though internal audits properly done could also be thorough. It seems that a nationally centralized ASUU has had its field day and has enjoyed major successes in the past; it has had its usefulness. It is possible that, depending on those at ASUU's helm, that it could be operated as it currently is more democratically and with more sensitivity to the critical interests of other groups that are necessarily tied up in decisions and activities it embarks upon as ASUU. However, it is my suggestion in line with arguments from this and other fora that adjustments to its current structure could be productive of more democratic capital, even though its membership will argue it already is democratic. I suggest that the leadership and the membership seize this opportunity to engage in critical a review and to actually recast itself.
ASUU should consider whether indeed, in accordance with local wisdom and increasing global practice, significant or total autonomy of local chapters or association of chapters willingly formed, will not serve the national interest better; whether how and when to operate at the central or national level should not be left to the discretion of local union bodies. In other words, should national level operations when required be by adhoc committees or general assemblies or such others that are under complete local authorization. Local interests, peculiarities and more diversity, more need for contrary views and much more robust discussions (democracy) could in this way be built into the structuration of the organization. At least, this question (and other critical ones raised in recent time) should be put to discussion and to a vote.
Again, the question will arise, will decentralization compromise all that ASUU has fought for and negate all its previous achievements, especially given that our governments have proved their lack of aliveness to the nature and needs of successful and developmental education? Will this leave government without a check. I can only say that the suggestion here is to recast ASUU as it currently is and not at all an idea to eliminate unionization. I can also say that local chapters can strike bodies that are nationally representative when required and will still be able to effectively engage governments in discussions and in resolution of disputes. The difference is that we have more decision making power coming from a wider spectrum of the nation's education and related sectors and the possibility that decisions arrived at would be a better one. It will be a body that, though can check governments, it can also check itself based on the way it is re/structured.
Suggestion No.#3 ASUU should radically model deepening the practice of democracy.
At any level that ASUU operates, outside of the issue of remunerations and entitlements, all the other structural issues relating to the education sector are interests that are very critical to and are equally shared by students and their parents as well as ASUU members. Some will argue that prospective employers (the market) has an interest that should be taken into consideration too. Hence, whether it is ASUU as it currently is structured or ASUU restructured, I suggest, that there is a dire need for authentic and effective representation of student bodies, parent bodies and perhaps prospective employers, in any deliberation that would require that schools be disrupted beyond a certain number of days in any semester. It might even be advisable that ASUU has permanent student representation on some relevant committees. It should be the culture that a minumum number of days are required for a standard semester, in which specific number of class/lab/ or teaching and learning hours and exams would occur. Should a disruption be called for that may seem likely to jeopardize the school term, the constitution of the body to decide it should include those who have equal interest and who would bare the cost of the disruption. The proportion of the representation is something that can be thrashed out. It should also be possible that should a certain proportion of student union organizations meet over a decision of ASUU in their local area or nationally and ask for review of an ASUU decision that heavily affect them, that ASUU should call for such a meeting of its members and consider the interests of the students in their review of the issues. I absolutely support the autonomy of each of these organizations, but I also know that joint sovereignty or authority can be exercised and that if done carefully and if respectful of each other deepens democracy and, in this case, in reality makes any decision made or rescinded that of all the bodies and groups interested in the matter. This will be a wonderful modeling of democratic practice and value to our youth and students.
-------Femi Kolapo
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