By Banji Ayoola
The Ondo State Government declared on Thursday that it has not increased tuition in all the state institutions, thus debunking the rumour making the rounds.
It spoke few hours after the Management of two of its three universities – Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, AAUA, and Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, OSUSTECH – also dismissed rumour.
Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, said at a Press briefing in Akure, the state capital, that it has neither discussed fee increment nor planned raise in the tuition payable in all its tertiary institutions.
Students of both institutions have boycotted classes, and have been protesting an alleged increase in their school fees.
Government therefore asked students to dismiss the rumour, describing the protesters as professional “Student leaders” from outside the state who are only sponsored by desperate politicians.
Besides, it enjoined them to face their studies rather than being misled by rumour mongers who are only out to discredit the state government.
Earlier, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) had debunked the rumour that it had increased its school fees to N250, 000 per session.
In a statement by the Acting Registrar, Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, it had said that there is no new increase of school fees being paid by students of the institution, which range between N80,000 and N150,000,
The statement said that the school fees payable in the university remain as negotiated with the students since April last year.
It explained that the demand during the recent protest of students was for the University to allow those who have not paid their school fees to write tests and examinations while they pay their school fees later.
It stated firmly and unequivocally that there is no new increase of school fees in AAUA;. current school fees in AAUA range between N80,000 and N150,000; and that the students are allowed to pay twice i.e. between N40,000 and N75,000 per semester.
It added that the demand during the recent protest of students was for the University to allow those who have not paid their school fees to write tests/examinations while they pay their school fees later’
The statement advised parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards pay their school fees without delay, especially since they have the option of paying twice over two semesters.
It said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the schedule of school fees charged in AAUA, with effect from April 2018 range between N80,000 and N150,000 per year, depending on course or level of study.
“The above figures were negotiated with relevant stakeholders, including the students and their parents, and finalized in April last year. It is instructive to note that more than a session has passed since then and students have paid without any issue.
“Management is hereby urging members of the public to note that the school fees payable in Adekunle Ajasin University remain as negotiated with the students since April last year.”
Also, OSUSTECH had earlier on Thursday said that there is no increase in school fees being paid by students of the institution contrary to misrepresentations by vested interests.
It had declared in a statement by its Acting Registrar, Mr Felix Oladapo Akinnusi, that the school fees being paid by students of the institution since the beginning of the 2017/2018 Academic Session, still remain in force.
The university was reacting formally to the purported increase in school fees which had spurred the students’ protest of April 29 and the ongoing one in Akure, and grounded activities at the institution.
According to the statement, the University Management was surprised to see its students go into the streets to agitate for reduction in the fees payable in the institution.
While setting the records straight, the statement said that Management of the institution had no intention to increase students’ school fees this session, noteing that the University Management was not informed of the reasons before the students embarked on the protests.
The statement said that all efforts to make the students see reason and return to School had proved abortive; “and this is causing a lot of concern to the University Management.”
It declared categorically that “The public should therefore take note that OSUSTECH has not increased and is not intending to increase school fees for this session.” It gave the current fees regime prevailing at the institution.
Following is the full statement which was entitled: “No Increase in Fees in OSUSTECH:”
“It has become necessary for the University Management to inform the general public about the true position of things on the issue of students’ protest and the purported story of increase in School fees. This is important in order to set the records straight and to correct any misrepresentations that may be fed to the public by vested interest.
“OSUSTECH management has not increased Students School Fees and has no intention to do so at least this session. It should be noted that the current school fees regime being paid in OSUSTECH had been on since the beginning of 2017/2018 Academic Session.
“Fees payable by the current 200 level non-indigene Engineering Students was #200,000 per session and for indigene Engineering Students #150,000 per session payable in two installments.
The non- Indigenes offering courses in Faculties of Agric and Science have been paying #150,000, while indigenes were made to pay #100,000 per session and payable in two installments. These also cover the newly admitted students for 2018/2019 academic session also payable in two installments so as not to put pressure on parents.
“The fees payable by 300 level to 500 level students still remain #70,000 per session both for indigenes and non-indigenes.
“It should be noted however that at the inception of 2017/2018 academic session the above fees regime was part of the information provided for the public and interested/prospective students, so it can be emphatically said that every student that accepted our admission agreed to pay the stipulated school fees.
“This was also repeated at the beginning of 2018/2019 academic session and majority of the students that accepted our admission had completed paying the required fees. The University Management is therefore surprised to see the University Students going into the streets to agitate for reduction in the fees payable in the institution.
“It should be noted that no initial information was given to the University Management as to why they demonstrated on 29th April,2019 as well as the ongoing protest in Akure . Management learnt that it was because their colleagues at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko were demonstrating on the issue of School fees, that they too also decided to go on the streets.
“All efforts to make them see reason and return to School had proved abortive and this is causing a lot of concern to the University Management.
“The public should therefore take note that OSUSTECH has not increased and is not intending to increaseschool fees for this session.”
