Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has expressed displeasure over the attitude of some parents and guardians whom she accused of stoking the embers of discord in unity colleges, and failing to show good examples to their children and wards.

She has also warned that the government would not fold its hands and watch them have an overbearing influence on the colleges. Speaking at the commissioning of a block of three classrooms and staff rooms at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos State, last weekend, Yemi-Esan particularly frowned at the recent activities of some parents that resulted to protests at the school.

According to her, protests and display of placards by parents presents them in bad light, and also negatively influences their children hence the need for it to be completely avoided.

She said there were laid down procedures in every institution, which parents must abide with in airing their grievances rather than causing rancor and disunity in unity schools.

While commending the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for their interventions in government institutions, she said, “We acknowledge the roles of PTA in our schools. In fact, there is no school that can survive without the PTA. PTAs everywhere in the world not only in Nigeria play very vital roles in schools because the children actually belong to them. But they should learn to resolve their misunderstanding internally without bringing it to public domain. We don’t want them to have an overbearing influence on our schools.

“We know that it is not everybody that can agree with the policies or instructions of the body.  And you cannot say that every parent will be happy with everything a school is doing, but parents please if you have an objection, first of all go to the chairman of the body, that is the organisation you belong to. If you are not satisfied go to the school authority, and if still not satisfied write to the FME,” the permanent secretary stated.

She continued, “… Parents are supposed to be role models to the children and that is what we want them to be. A situation whereby some parents call the press without first discussing with the school authorities, is what we frown at. This is becoming too rampant. Virtually every month something unpleasant happens within members of the PTA family in a federal government college. This we do not appreciate at all and we would continue to frown at happenings like these. So, parents should always strive to maintain that cordial relationship with us because we are happy partnering with them. But that shouldn’t be abused. That is the stand of the FME.

While responding to some staff members who were also on hand to express their frustrations, Yemi-Esan said, “Government desires the best for the 104 unity colleges in the country, but due to the economic hardship we cannot make promises at this time. We need to become very innovative at this time and seek partnership with the highly placed individuals or corporate organisations. We must begin to think outside the box to see how to move the college forward. There are amply opportunities in FSTC to generate revenue, so look inwards and ensure that these opportunities are tapped into,” she said.

Principal of the college, Rev. Chris Ugorji, told the permanent secretary that though the college won the overall best prize among the 104 unity colleges in the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), it still lacks some basic facilities as well as regular power supply.