The Academic staff of the Federal College of Education, Umunze, Anambra State, has frowned at the 3-week warning strike declared by the Chairman of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

The union also frowned at a report that lecturers protested in the school premises on Monday, describing it as false.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, some of the lecturers said the report of the protest in the college was a clear attempt by some mischievous elements to discredit the institution.

Dr Nwike Matthew, a Chief Lecturer and member of the College Academic Board, noted that the school authorities had made efforts to clear a backlog of allowances, including 14 months salary arrears inherited from the previous administration.

He said, “I do not believe that compelling the college management to borrow money to make a non-statutory payment is the right approach.

“Since the College Management pleaded for understanding and patience from the union, my colleagues should have taken the Management by her words,” he said..

On his part, Kenechukwu Agajelu of the Political Science Department, noted that COEASU has no mandate to run to the media to ask parents to withdraw their children from the College.

He further kicked against moving into classrooms and examination halls to forcefully drive lecturers and students away. He described such illegal acts as a contravention of labour law.

“You called for strike but did not call for picketing. Why are you picketing? Why are you preventing others from going to work through social media posts, phone calls, and physical abuse?

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Education Foundation, Dr Jideofo Ezewuzie, also pointed out that the College defaulted in TETFund Teaching Practice Allowance during the previous administration due to the action of COEASU.