By Our Reporter
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Nigeria, has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act to guarantee the union representation in the governing structure of the commission.
The union also urged lawmakers to make provisions for its representation on corresponding state-level education boards.
ASUSS made the demands on Saturday during a public hearing on the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, organised by committees of the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Presenting the union’s memorandum at the New Senate Building, its National President, Comrade Sola Adigun, said ASUSS had a presence in more than 24 states and exclusively represented secondary school teachers in over 12 states.
He argued that the union’s national spread and membership strength justified its inclusion in the commission’s governance structure.
According to him, excluding ASUSS would deny organised secondary school teachers adequate participation in decisions affecting their professional interests and the quality of education in the country.
Adigun said the proposed amendment should promote inclusive education governance by formally recognising the union’s role in representing secondary school teachers at the national level.
The union further cautioned lawmakers against introducing provisions that could override existing state laws and administrative arrangements recognising its participation in education governance.
On the administration of state commissions, ASUSS opposed the proposed part-time chairmanship, insisting that the position should be full-time to ensure effective supervision, policy coordination and continuous engagement with stakeholders.
It recommended that the chairmanship be occupied by an experienced educationist appointed through a transparent and merit-based process, with clearly defined tenure, responsibilities and accountability mechanisms.
However, the union supported the proposed removal of a PhD as a compulsory qualification for appointment as Chairman and Executive Secretary of the commission at both federal and state levels.
ASUSS maintained that professional competence, relevant qualifications and practical experience in educational administration should take precedence over the possession of a doctoral degree.
The union also endorsed the inclusion of the 110 Unity Secondary Schools, Armed Forces Secondary Schools and public secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory within the commission’s coverage.
It described the proposal as necessary for establishing a more comprehensive national framework for secondary education.
The public hearing also witnessed an exchange over the representation of teachers, following an intervention by a lawyer representing the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), who reportedly claimed that the NUT was the only organisation representing teachers in Nigeria.
The intervention was disallowed, allowing proceedings to continue on the proposed amendments.
ASUSS, however, maintained that its demand for recognition was justified by its membership strength, national presence and direct involvement in advancing the professional interests of secondary school teachers.
The union urged the National Assembly to ensure that the final amendment promotes inclusive governance, professional participation, administrative efficiency and accountability.
It also called for regular consultations with relevant stakeholders on policies affecting secondary school teachers and the delivery of quality education.
ASUSS reaffirmed its commitment to improving secondary education, promoting teachers’ welfare and advancing professional development, stressing that those responsible for implementing education policies must have a recognised voice in the institutions responsible for governing the sector.