Students of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State have protested compulsory N5000 examination fees on them by the school management.
The protesters, numbering over 1000 from different departments sang solidarity songs and carried placards with varying inscriptions such as “reduce the cost of texts books”; “allow us to do our medical and data capture”; “say no to corrupt stakeholders” ; “say no to exam fees”; “breakdown our tuition fees”
They matched from the school main gate through the administrative building, departments, to the permanent site before terminating at the popular school tower to show their displeasure over the continuous increment and incessant imposition of fees such as examination and ICT fees, forceful sales of handouts to them, among others.
Addressing the students, Secretary General, National Association Of Nigeria Students (NANS), South East Zone, Comrade Cynthia Felix described the fees as unlawful, demanding immediate withdrawal of the memo that introduced the fee and that all students should be allowed to sit for the examination.
She however appealed for calm, expressing her resolve to ensure nobody was exploited in any way.
Vice President, National Association of Polytechnic Students, South East, Chukwuebuka Umezula wondered the reason for an examination fee after they had paid their tuition fees.
“The school management on 9th of April, 2024, released a memo informing students to pay an examination fees of N5000 on or before 12th April, 2024 before commencement of the examination.
“Besides, the notice is not only short but fell on a public holidays. It’s unfortunate students were being subjected to an examination fee after they had paid their tuition fees which will deny them in taking their exams.
“We will continue the protest and boycott all examinations until the management changes its decision. The students have laboured, struggled and battled to pay tuition fees, medical fees, ICT fees, among others.”
According to Umezula, National Association of Polytechnic Students had written the school management over the memo but was not attended to.
Some of the protesters who spoke to reporters, including Kenechukwu Okafor, Merchant Jamesetta, Ifunaya Lucia and Pius Okolo appealed to Federal Ministry of Education to investigate the matter and intervene.
“Our parents are struggling to pay their tuition fees. We can’t understand the motive behind the imposition of more fees on us again,” they said.
Responding, Acting Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Chijioke Ibeziako promised that the issues would be settled internally.
