The management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has reacted to a recent protest by students of the institution over claims of a hike in the school’s examination fee.
Last week, the students of the institution had staged a protest accusing the management of imposing a N5,000 examination fee on them.
In reacting to the protest, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Chijioke Ibeziako, dismissed the claims of an increase in the examination fee by the new acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Uche Onyegbu.
The PRO had added that the rumour mongers of such stories were enemies who meant evil for the institution, insisting that N5,000 had been the price of the examination fee as approved by the former governing council of the institution.
A press release by Ibeziako had read thus:
“This agitation against the examination fee is therefore surprising and distinctly portrays the hand of the fifth columnists who do not mean well for the Ag.Rector, Dr. Uche Onyegbu and the entire management and they are determined on destroying the system for their selfish and inordinate ambition.“Following a circular released by the SUG President to the students to not to pay the examination fee, the school management had in its characteristic open door policy, held a series of interactions with the SUG officials.
Thereafter, an agreement was reached and memorandum of understanding signed by the student union president and Management in the presence of NANS officials for students to keep paying the examination fee.”
It is noteworthy to mention that the school management had assured the students officials that students could keep writing the exam while they pay the examination fee but to the displeasure of the Management, the student union president reneged on this agreement and released a circular to students saying that the first semester examination already scheduled to begin will not be holding as scheduled, and had promptly directed students to stay away from school.
