Students of the Kwara State Polytechnic has today staged a protest over the alleged increase in school fees by the management of the institution.
The protesters, who were carrying placards, accused the school authorities of allegedly hiking the fees by a very high percent to the detriment of the students.
They explained that indigent students who paid N32, 500 last academic session are now expected to pay the sum of N52, 500 while non-indigenes will part with N75,000 instead of the N32,090 they paid into the institution’s coffers a year ago. The students noted that the current situation in the country would not guarantee the payment of such an amount.
They , therefore , urged the state government and management of the school to reverse the fees, adding that the students would not want to be lured into crime or prostitution due to the inability of their parents to afford the fees.
One of the students, who spoke with our correspodence on the condition of anonymity, lamented that the increment was at the detriment of the poor majority who could not afford the money because of the economy problem in the country.
He said , “ “As a non-indigene of the state, I paid the sum of N32,090 as a new intake last year but I am surprised with the N75,500 being quoted on the school’s portal for the 2017/18 academic session.”
“We do not want this increase. Education is for everybody and not only the rich. They are trying to deprive the poor of education” he concluded.
Another student, who simply identify himself as Ibrahim said, “I told my mother about the situation yesterday and she advised me to withdraw and apply for admission in a different institution because she cannot afford the money. It is too exorbitant.”
“I am tired of the situation and my parents are not financially buoyant. Where do they expect us to see the money? The government should please listen to our plight.”
But the Institution while reacting to the alleged increment through the Director of Information, Alhaji Moshood Amuda, debunked any such development saying, “The school officially resumes tomorrow (Monday) and until the school is opened, such report remains a rumour.
“How are you sure the portal where such information emanated from is that of the school,” he said even as he urged our reporter to visit the institution as soon as it resumed to confirm the alleged increment.
Watch The Video of Them Protesting Below.
