The students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, yesterday evening embarked on social media campaign with the hash tag #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption through the coalition of Media Groups in the school, calling for resumption and leniency on the new tuition fee to be proposed by the State Government.
It will be recalled that the students went on session break after the 2016/2017 academic session exams in December, while some other departments ended rounded up the session on the 10th of January, 2018.
Earlier, the Governor of the State, Arakunrin Odunayo Akeredolu, during the recently held convocation ceremony in the school said there would be a review in the university's tuition fee.
"Let me say without equivocation that the fees being paid in this school will be reviewed. I am not ready to tell anyone falsehood, we are here to say the truth because as you are aware, we will support this university but I beg of you, let us see it that way."
“All universities we have around here, go and check what they pay and you will see it. If you want to advise the government, come and let us know, but I can assure you all that we will review the fees that we are charging for this university."
“It is better for you (Students) to prepare your minds for it because we are not going to make decisions based on political considerations. Our attitude must change. The management has been saying it will take a bold person to take some of these decisions, but I told them they can’t find any other person bolder than me in that regard. The management knows that the subvention is not enough to run the university."
“I must tell you that what you are currently experiencing on school fees, is no doubt not sustainable. We must not shy away from all those things" he said.
Stating while the tuition fee would be reviewed, Akeredolu while speaking said, ” If we are paying only salaries, what happens to the people in the society and those Akoko Roads. We are spending millions of naira on that notorious Oke-Oka Road. Do you want us to abandon those roads? Can we use all our money for subvention? It is not possible, there is no way. We need to tell you how the government is run. We are responsible not only to the students or civil servants but also to the larger society,”
The students of the institution making their grievances known stated the refusal of the school management to communicate with them what the delay in resumption is despite having the communication channel called AAUA UPDATE as one of the reasons for their grievances.
In a release signed by the Head, Information, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr. Sola Imoru, he stated the delay in resumption is due to some necessary structures that are been put in place in the school which most of the students see not to be a germane and convincing excuse.
"The University is using the period of the break to put in place all necessary structures, including repair of facilities, especially at this period of paradigm shift in the state's education sector, to ensure a conducive campus and a serene learning environment on resumption" He said.
The students who embarked on twitter To make their grievances known and also plead for resumption from the school management and State Government, tweeted at close associates of the Governor, his wife, political parties, National dailies amongst others.
Here are some of the tweets:
@RotimiAkeredolu Jambites are thinking twice before obtaining our post utme forms, all bcos of this. #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption
Our lecturers miss impacting knowledge into us, they miss encouraging and advising us. #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption
@RotimiAkeredolu In terms of research they are already lagging behind their colleagues in other institutions. #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption
@RotimiAkeredolu some have turned to family drivers when we are suppose to be in school in school #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption
@RotimiAkeredolu Prostitution is gradually becoming a baptismal alternative job for our female students. #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption
The economy of Akungba and neigbhouring communites have been on the decline due to our absence #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption
@RotimiAkeredolu Our house rent is counting, some departments can't be mobilized for NYSC #LowAAUATuitionCall4Resumption.
It is very sacrosanct to say at this stage, the students are tired of staying at home and willing to get back to school.
The State Government and Management of AAUA are hereby called upon to find a lasting solution to ending the indefinite break embarked on 2 months ago so that the students can resume to lecture rooms.
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