DELTA STATE POLYTECHNIC: Students’ Shut Down Activities Over Extortion, Fees Increment
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by Our Correspondent
Students of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, in the Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday, March 25 shut down academic activities over increment of school fees and introduction of new charges by the school management.
Other issues the students also protested against were; ban on students driving private vehicles onto the polytechnic premises, alleged harassment of students on colour attachment.
Boch News gathered that the angry students stopped the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, academic and non-academic staff, from gaining access into the school early yesterday.
A female student who craved for anonymity, said the school management introduced a new course for final year students, alleging that the management requested students to register for the course with N7,000 as price for a textbook, which angered the final year students in the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
According to her; “The textbook price was added to the school fees. The management worsened the situation by closing the school portal.
“Aside from that, we were also asked to pay N4,500 for COVID-19. The school did not give us face masks and hand sanitisers, with no water to wash our hands.
“Our classes are jam-packed, exposing us to higher risks of contracting the deadly Corona Virus disease, as there are no preventive measures for students.”
When our reporter contacted the Rector, Chiemeke, she said: “Allow us to do our work. We have to calm the situation before you interview me, thank you.”
The Rector’s reaction was a confirmation that the school is facing some challenges as expatiated by the Students’Community of the institution.
The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, said the issues would be resolved when contacted.
