Parents and teachers of Federal Government College, Rumuokoro, Rivers State, on Monday protested the Federal Government’s plan to hand over the management of unity schools to their old students’ associations.
The protest disrupted the resumption of the 2026/2027 first-term academic session, with students who arrived at the school reportedly turned back.
The protesters, comprising teachers under the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and parents of students, demanded an immediate reversal of the Federal Government’s plan.
Speaking during the protest, Chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association, Matthew Abbah, warned that the proposed arrangement could prevent children from less-privileged backgrounds from accessing quality education.
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Abbah described the move as an attempt to privatise the school, arguing that while old students’ associations could contribute to the development of the institutions, they should not be given full control of their management.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to intervene and ensure that the decision is reversed in the interest of the students.
Abbah said the protesters would remain at the school gate until the Federal Government rescinded the decision affecting the unity schools.
Another parent, Bright Wosu, also expressed concerns over the development, joining calls for the government to reconsider the proposed arrangement.
