Governor Godwin Obaseki has said there is no going back in his quest to improve basic education, which he said was the foundation of whatever the people are today.
Obaseki spoke at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the State Universal Basic Education with the theme as ‘Improving collaboration in the provision of basic education in Benin yesterday.
The governor, however, reiterated that his administration will not negotiate with a ‘politicised’ Nigerian Union of Teachers.
He insisted the union’s demand must fall within the programme he has designed for primary school.
Obaseki alleged that a segment of the leadership of the union had become politicised and it influenced the last strike by primary school teachers.
“What we saw the last time were not the teachers going on strike; it was part of the leadership of their union that have become political that are playing politics with the lives of our children.
“We don’t have a problem with the teachers of this state but a section of the leadership of the union who have decided to politicise the issue and derail what we have started.
“I am ready to fight with anybody in the state that wants to jeopardise our mission. So, we are not going to negotiate with that politicised section of the union. We will not be intimidated. We are going to fight as long as you want to derail EdoBEST.
“I hear they are still threatening that the strike is not over; I wish them luck and I want you the stakeholders to join us to make sure that the right thing is done.”
Earlier, Chairman of SUBEB, Dr Joan Oviawe, said she came up with EdoBEST (Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation) to reposition basic education in the state.
