TASUED Students Protest Over Draconian Policies From Management
Omooba Risawe
The Students Union Government of Tai Solarin University of Education,TASUED, Ijebu-Ode of Ogun State on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest over alleged draconian policies introduced by the management,but the university in a swift reaction faulted the allegations.
The protesters who were closely monitored by the police led by Divisional Police Officer, Ibara police station,Abiodun Bakare took to the major roads leading to the governor’s office and Iwe-Iroyin press centre Abeokuta to register their displeasure.
Our correspondent report that, they were seen with number of protesting placards and singing solidarity songs to press home their demands in a peaceful manner.
A letter of protest written to the Speaker House of Assembly alleged that the university management has introduced harsh policies at the detriment of the students,ranging from incremental fees and dues under the guise of raising Internally Generated Revenue for smooth running of the institution,’when we haven’t seen what the previous fee regime was used for’
They further alleged that,the acceptance fee of new intakes has been increased from N30,000 to N40,000,the final clearance fee for graduating students has also been increased from N25,000 to N45,000, increase in vocational studies fee from N1,000 to N25,000 which is now turned to registration fee among fees and dues.
Other grouse of the students to the management have it that,N7,500 payment for replacement of lost final clearance in admission office, payment of N10,200 student tax and unjustifiable N1,500 fee for any reprint of school fees receipt among others
‘The students union was made to realize by the university management that there is need for all the increment and introduction of fees and dues as the state government has failed to give the school what the school deserves in terms of funds. According to the information at hand,its clearly stated that the state had failed to give Tasued a kobo for the past 24 months’,the protesters said.
However, the students demanded that the school authorities should refund N25,000 for those that have paid,re-run of e-test and exams for those that have paid their tuition fees and were denied the access to write exams and eradication of more than two carry-overs no teaching practice policy.
Other demands are; construction of public toilets across the school premises for students use,construction of street lights across the school to ensure safety of students and properties,total liberation of the students union from the hand of the oppressor,cancellation of clearance certificate as prerequisite for writing examination and opening of boy’s hostel for proper accommodation.
However, university management in reaction denied the allegation simataneoulsy,stressing that the authority has not increased school fees in the last three years,contrary to claim of the protesting students.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluyemisi Obilade in a statement added further that, the university has also kept to its academic calendar and as at today it has no backlog of students to be graduated.
‘ It is on record that the management has not increased school fees in the last three years. The school fees is still N66,500 for returning undergraduates and N76,500 for fresh students’.
‘The caution fee cannot be part of school fees as it is only paid by students who fail to conclude registration within stipulated time. The fee is actually to make students to register on time and avoid past situation where some students will be at 400 level with their registration yet to be concluded. Instances abound of students who at the point of graduation are found to be deficient in one admission requirement or the other and/or having incomplete data with the regulatory bodies.
‘Registration fees are paid in all universities, just as students Union fees. It is in the bid to plug loopholes and enhance accountability that made Management, Deans and HODS to come together and agree that the fees be streamlined and paid together in one lump.
She said,disbursement are then made to the various units, departments and colleges according to agreed computation,adding that new students are required, as part of their registration formality, to present tax clearance certificates of parents/sponsors.
‘Tax payment is a civic and statutory responsibility of citizens to the Ogun State Government. The said N10,000 is only payable in lieu of non possession of valid Ogun State Tax Clearance Certificate. The University is, therefore, not involved in the collection of the said tax. It only demands for the clearance certificate of parents/sponsor(s)’,the statement reads
‘ We have no apologies on TASUED standard that students with more than two carry-overs will not go for teaching practice. TASUED is a University of Education and we will be doing a diservice to the State and Nation if we allow students with inadequate knowledge to teach in the classrooms. Research has shown that it is more difficult to unlearn a wrong thing’.
‘TASUED today is much sought after by applicants, and it is over subscribed by many intending students even after the NUC had increased our carrying capacity/quota from 3,500 to 5813.
‘TASUED today is even rated well above many other universities that have been in the existence decades before TASUED was established, being placed 43rd out of 118 Universities in the country.
The management explained that,it acknowledge that the recession has affected government allocation from the federation account, which has also grossly affected subventions.
‘The management has creatively introduced vocational training, diversified its IGR and has managed to sustain its programme and schedule. This stands out the University as a model all over the country, and it is on record that many tertiary institutions have been sending delegations to understudy the TASUED model’.
‘We are not unmindful of the fact that this may be bad news for enemies of progress who want to bring TASUED to its knees for reasons best known to them. TASUED belongs to all of us collectively, it is GOD’s ow n project and it must not only survive but thrive’.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun while addressing the protesting students, gave a pledge to meet management of the university over their grouses.
