By Wilson Adekumola
The National Association of Nigerian Students has asked federal government to reducced all increased school fees paid in universities.
While urging the school authorities to return all school fees to statu quo, pending when a proper budget for education will be in place, the students body noted that if education cannot be free it must be affordable to Nigerians.
The Vice President, National affairs, Victor Ezenagu, made the request while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the association would do everything in its capacity to resist any attempt by government to destroy education in Nigeria.
He said, “We demand the immediate reduction of all increased school fees. If education cannot be free at least it must be affordable to all Nigerians.
“In profiling our demands, NANS want to appeal passionately to the conscience of our school authorities to please temper justice with mercy and return all school fees to status quo pending when a proper budget for education will be in place. Knowing fully well that our school authorities are not styled like the scions of Mussolini – Hitler, we believe they will hear our appeal of respect rather than our cry of violence.
“The effects of the school fees increment has led many of our students to go astray and made many parents undergo undue hardship, embarrassment and loss of honesty in order to meet up with the challenges, over 30% of our students have become drop-outs contributing only negatively to the society.
“Our appeal is based on the concept of education being the best legacy and it is said that ‘Honorary deeds are not done by chicken hearted fellows but by men of vagaries and courage,’ this is what we want from school authorities by holding on with fees increment, for education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man, we will strive hard to continue to pressure government not to abandon their constitutional roles on the educational sector.
“We also demand increased budget allocation of education to 26%; increased funding for Tetfund, UBEC and other associated educational funding agencies.
NANS also urged government to improve on the welfare of the personnel including salaries for both academic and non-academic staff.
“Government should generate human capital resources to expand teachers and lecturers across the board.”
He also charged the Federal Ministry of Education engage educational stakeholders in order to profer lasting educational policy benefit Nigerian students.
