Pandemonium broke out Polytechnic, IbadanOyo State capital, when students staged a peaceful protest in the campus and on the main roads leading to the State Government Secretariat in Agodi.
The protest, led by the institution’s student union, was in response to an increase in “dorm rejection fees,” among many other issues listed in a memo published by the union.
The management of the institution immediately announced the postponement of the first semester examination which was earlier scheduled to begin on Monday. The suspension of the student union was also announced by the management through a statement signed by the Registrar, Modupe Fawale.
Authorities described the protests as ill-advised, politically motivated and illegal.
But hours after the suspension of the student union was announced, the management reversed the order, saying the students had expressed their regret.
However, it was not possible to take a decision on the pending exam from Monday afternoon. The Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Adewole Soladoye, said if the examination schedule had to be disrupted by the protests, the rescheduling of the examination would require careful efforts.
protest
Earlier on Monday, students gathered in hundreds at the entrance gate of the polytechnic, blocking the Sango-Poly junction.
The protesters then proceeded to the government secretariat in Agodi, causing traffic jams for commuters on the road.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the institution announced a mandatory “imposition” of “N15,000 dormitory refusal fee” on every National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) student who refuses to live in the school. dormitory.
The 200-level student of the Higher National Diploma (HND), who requested anonymity for fear of sanctions, confirmed that in 2017, the “rejection fee” was N1,000 before it was increased to N5,000 in 2021.
“Now the management has increased the fee to N15,000. This is the main reason for the protest,” said the student.
However, a check on the school’s official website by the student at 12:50pm showed that the fee had been refunded to N5,000.
About ‘hostel rejection charges’
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Soladoye, said the cost of the hostel rejection was to prevent students from staying outside the campus during their first year as students.
He said it is mandatory for ND 1 and HND 1 students to live in the hostel and pay for accommodation and that “hostel rejects the fee” to discourage from jettisoning the offer, and that the fee is used to maintain the hostel.
However, Mr. Soladoye said there are certain exceptions such as students with special health conditions, etc.
When asked about the availability of hostel places for all admitted students, the spokesperson said that anyone who pays a “rejection fee” when places are fully booked will be refunded.
Fee reversal
Meanwhile, following student protests, the management of the institution reversed its decision and reverted to the old fee of N5,000 starting in 2021. Before 2021, the fee was N1,000.
The students took to social media to criticize the allegations, describing them as rip-offs.
Another complaint by students
The student union, according to a memorandum issued on January 9, with reference number: TPI/SEC/SU/CB141, and signed by the President, Oloyede Okiki, accused the Oyo State Government of withdrawing the institution on allegations of denial. upgrade the facility and give it a facelift.
“It is common knowledge that there are seven state institutions, but it is clear that Oyo City Government now prefers educational institutions over others. This is not the type of leadership and legacy that is anticipated from the government,” the memorandum said.
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The union described it as ironic how Governor Seyi Makinde helped reduce tuition fees paid by students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, by 25 percent and allow students who have not yet paid school fees. writing the exam, can be responsible for increasing the cost of the campus.
The union also said that the governor provided electrification to the university but “chose to black out Poli Ibadan and its community despite being close to the governor’s office”.
The governor was also accused of never visiting the polytechnic for live assessment despite being close to his office, among other allegations.
Sanctions
The management of the polytechnic in the initial statement said “The student union did not make an official complaint before the management about the exam scheduled to start today; therefore the protest to the State Secretariat can be asked”.
According to a statement signed by the Registrar, Mrs Fawale, the first semester examination scheduled to begin today (Monday) has also been postponed indefinitely.
He added that the “student union violated the rules of decency” by locking all the gates leading to the institution and “causing undue hardship” to other students and the general public.
But in another statement, which was also signed by Mrs Fawale, the management announced that the suspension order had been lifted.
“The management has decided not to use a big stick on the students because they are also drawing swords. The management will hold a meeting with the student leaders to address the grievances they feel,” the statement said.
However, the management said that a new date will be announced for the canceled exam which was scheduled to start on Monday (today).
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