UNIABUJA Students Protest School Fees’ Increment, Tackle VC For Closing Portal
Students of the University of Abuja on Monday protested at the main campus gate in the Giri area of the Federal Capital Territory, over the increment of their tuition by the school authorities.
The students, led by their union executives, displayed various placards, saying the school authorities led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rasheed Na’Allah, increased tuition by over 100 per cent.
They therefore described the increment as insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
On social media, the students have created #EndUniabujaOppression, while calling on the school management to rescind its decision and open the portal for students to register.
PHOTONEWS: University Of Abuja Students Hold Protest, Demand Reduction Of School Fees, End To Oppression#EndUniabujaOppression @UofANigeria @NigEducation @NigeriaGov pic.twitter.com/QLLL9dgOaV
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 1, 2021
One of the Students’ Union Government leaders explained why the students embarked on the protest.
He said, “Sometime in late 2019, rumours were going around about a purported increase in school fees at the university. As a proactive SUG, led by Aluta Famous, enquiries were made in which the VC, Prof. Na’Allah, blatantly denied any possible increment and so there wasn’t much to do by the SUG.
“Some days after, students kept complaining about the fees on their portals and this prompted the SUG to meet with the VC again. This time around, the VC didn’t deny but intimated the SUG about an agreement reached with their predecessors (led by Aluta Standard) on the increment.
“The SUG was disappointed about the development and couldn’t come to terms with why their predecessors could have agreed to the increment, taking into consideration the fact that the fees had just been increased a year before then.
“However, the SUG pleaded for reduction, only for the management to say some students had already started paying and that the money could not be refunded. Not only that, the management also insisted on giving a deadline for payment and registration, an act that’s alien to the students’ community since the previous management had always given students the grace of paying as late as in the second semester.
“This sudden increment and refusal to be considerate and sensitive enough to show empathy to struggling students has led some students to drop out because they could not meet up financially. True to his word, the VC closed the portal for payment. Then, there was the pandemic break and a strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Since there was news of possible resumption and examination dates set, SUG has been pleading for the portal to be reopened so as to allow students to register.
“In light of this, we are calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to come to University of Abuja students’ aid and not allow this obvious oppression and intimidation of students to go without a proper redress. Our future is at stake and we won’t fold our hands and watch as it is being delayed.”
Education News AddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
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