FUO Students Express Displeasure Over Increment In school Fees

  

The students of Federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State, have expressed displeasure over the recent decision by the institution to increase school fees.

The fees were increased to N78,500 for Non-Sciences, N90,500 for Sciences, N107,500 for Medical Sciences and N100,500 for Law Students.

However, the Students Union Government led by Comrade Hezolo Charles Tolomokizibe met with the institution's management over the development and secured a reduction of N9,000 from the N78,500 for the Non-Science students, 11,000 reduction for the Science Students fee of 90,500, N13,000 from the N107,500 from the Medical Science fee and N13,000 from the Law students fee of N100,500.

According to the SUG PRO, Comrade Victor Ebibralade, the reduction in the fees was due to the efforts of the students leadership's insistence that a review should be made.

But the students of the Institution were however dissatisfied with the outcome of negotiation between the SUG's leadership and the Institution's management, insisting that the increment in fees is not commensurate with  the facilities available for studies. 

Reacting on the increments, a student identified as KpB ( not real name), said that  this is the second time that the university will be increasing school fees.

She said:"  The university explained  that the increment is coming because of rising institutional costs but questions are flying. Why release this press statement now when students are not even in school as last exams ended yesterday? ( 1st of September). This development has left many students heartbroken."

Another 400 level Student of Sociology, identified as Charles, told our correspondent that the SUG leadership have failed the students with the outcome of such agreement.

"Enough is enough. I'm calling on the SUG President, Comrade Big Zolo that  this is selfish of them to agree with the school authorities on this school fees issues.

"Most of our parents are struggling to see us through school. If i pay this amount of school fees, will there be adequate learning space? Will there be enough sites that will contain the increasing students population? Will there be power supply?. These are the issues!'

"Even lecturers are complaining  that there are no  good and conducive office spaces or teaching environment. And that their salaries are not enough to feed their families.The institution keeps increasing fees and collecting monies and nothing is being done in the school."

Another student identified as Benny Omini, expressed disappointment over the development, describing it as painful.

"Not again. And to think that this school was my first choice because of low cost of school fees, now within the period of one year, school fees has been increased twice.

"For God's sake, this is a federal university. Our School fees are not for staff salaries. Even the so-called development, no evidence. My Faculty does not even have a personal building.

" We hustle and move from hall to hall in search of a proper lecture room. There are no good and enough chairs, no light, bad toilets, the school clinic lacks enough drugs and to top it, they are introducing new faculties.

"Landlords will hear this and still increase house rent. Are we meant to suffer as students? Indeed, this system is messed up!" She lamented.

All calls put across to the university's authority were not responded to as at the time of filling in this report as the calls rang out.