King’s College Crisis: FG Pauses Concession After Labour Protest

The battle over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, has entered a temporary truce after the Federal Government and organised labour agreed to pause implementation for two weeks.

The agreement followed an emergency meeting between Education Minister Tunji Alausa, other ministry officials and labour representatives.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the agreement also provides for the immediate suspension of industrial action, while workers who participated in the protest are not to be victimised.

A seven-member committee will review and negotiate the proposed arrangement with the King’s College Old Boys’ Association.

The Federal Government has said the concession is intended to bring additional resources into the 117-year-old institution for rehabilitation and modernisation while government retains ownership.

The dispute became tense after staff and parents protested the proposed arrangement, with police later deployed around the school.

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ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported the growing disagreement over the concession and the concerns raised by workers and other stakeholders.

The two-week pause does not amount to cancellation. It creates room for the government, labour and other stakeholders to examine the terms and determine whether the proposed model adequately protects the school’s public character, workers and students.

That review will be meaningful only if the parties examine the agreement openly and address the concerns that triggered the dispute.

For a historic public school, rehabilitation and efficiency matter, but so do accountability, transparency and the interests of those who work and study there, ValidViewNetwork reports.