Education Not a Business Venture: Ogun Varsity Students Protest Fee Hike
The students’ union body of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State is vehemently opposing the recent hike in tuition fees implemented by the university’s management.
This protest follows closely on the heels of the students’ resistance to a 100 per cent increment in hostel fees, a move by the school that was met with disapproval.
The updated school fees, which were made visible on the school portal last Thursday, have sparked outrage among students. The previous fees of N114,038, N160,500, and N92,872 for various faculties have been increased to N300,000, N450,000, and N260,000, respectively.In response to this, the union’s President, Ogunsanya Bamidele, and the Public Relations Officer, Ojo Mercy, issued a joint statement on Thursday, urging fellow students not to make any payment until further notice.
“The recent decision by the school management to increase school fees is not taken lightly. We acknowledge the economic challenges facing the nation, but we firmly believe that education should not be treated as a mere business venture.
“Our administration stands against this increment, emphasizing that students should not be viewed as a source of revenue.
Education is a right, and its accessibility should not be compromised by financial barriers. In these trying times, our priority should be to find solutions that benefit every student of our esteemed university.
“We urge you, our dear students not to pay the increased fees and refrain from participating in any school activities until further directives from the union.”This protest reflects a growing concern among students about the commercialization of education, with the union leaders emphasizing the importance of prioritizing accessibility to education over financial gains.
The situation awaits further developments as students await the union’s directives on their next course of action.Credit Punch News