The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes has appealed to the Oyo State Government, Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers to review their stands over the proposed public private partnership in the management of some schools in the state.
Workers and pupils in the state protested against the partnership recently.
According to the state government, the proposal will involve stakeholders in the management of 31 out of 631 secondary schools in the state, with the view to restoring quality education in the state.
But the labour unions argue that the proposal will put a burden on parents whose children attend the affected schools because of high tuition.
It also expressed concern over the fate of teachers in the school after the takeover.
In a statement by its President-General, Chief Wole Akinwande, and its Publicity Secretary, Ademola Alabi, the group observed that pupils, were at the receiving end of the government and labour face-off.
“While the merits or otherwise of the new policy has resulted in a face-off between the government and labour unions, the fact is that the public remains the loser. Without doubt, it is the school children in the state who have been forced to be at the receiving end of the crisis,” said the statement in part.
The organisation also called on the different parties to embrace dialogue for the sake of the pupils.
“CCII is appealing to both sides to review their stands on the issue and look for a common ground and bring an end to the crisis. We appeal to the state government to demonstrate its commitment to the good works it has for the development of the state. We also call on labour to climb down and embrace dialogue with the government,” the statement added