CAMPUS REVIEW: OSPOLY Students Kick Over Levies

 

By Joshua Afolabi

The Students’ Union Government of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree led by Comrade Bolaji Olaniyi has objected to various levies introduced by the management of the institution.

This is just as it has urged students of the institution not to make any payment until the union leadership gives further directive.

In a press release signed by the union, titled, “The fees must drop”, said the move by the management was an attempt to shift the responsibility of providing education to parents alone, rather than for all the stakeholders to see it as a responsibility of all.

Bolaji, who explained that sequel to the Internal Memorandum released by the management of the institution for the fees payable for the year 2018/19 academic session said, the union frowned at some of the fees introduced by the management, “As we have discovered that the cost of those services do not commensurate with its value”.

He disclosed that the list of payment: identity card, development levy, laboratory practical, entrepreneurship fee, examination fee, students Handbook, library fee will not be accepted, as the union called for a meeting with the school authority to further discuss and push their position ideologically.

Olaniyi stated that though some of these fees were introduced in the last Academic session but was accepted as a result of the fact that there was no union, but caretaker committee which was a stooge of the authority.

“We have waited patiently, hoping some of the fees introduced in the last session would drop.  For most of these fees, we have not enjoyed a reciprocity services and we have some existing fees which hitherto, we have not seen dividends of payment”.

The SUG President noted that just recently, the students union government staged a peaceful rally which was tagged “walk against the commercialisation of tertiary education”, but soft-pedaled and reduced the intensity of the demonstration for the reasons which union felt will promote a peaceful coexistent in the institution.

He also lamented that education should be seen as a civic responsibility of the government and not a source of revenue to fund the government expenditure.

“We must however express the contentment and satisfaction at the doggedness and commitment of students who show solidarity with the union at all times required. Once again, getting you prepared for the duties before us as in togetherness we shall fight and win the war against the commercialisation of education on our soil”, he stressed.