The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has called on the Kaduna State government to reverse its hike of school fees in higher institutions in the state.
The students’ group described the move would only increase does not consider the hardship and plight of the common citizens of Kaduna State.
A statement released on Friday was signed by Shehu Umar and Abdulhafiz Isa, the MSSN Kaduna Area Council’s President and General Secretary respectively.
Read the full statement below.
MULTI-FOLD INCREASE IN SCHOOL FEES OF HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF KADUNA STATE GOVERNMENT: A CALL FOR URGENT REVERSAL OF THE UGLY POLICY
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Kaduna State Area Unit has followed keenly in the past few days on matters arising from the multi-fold increase in school fees in state-owned higher institutions announced by the state government. The minimum new school fees per annum for first degree and higher national diploma is ₦ 150,000.00, while that of diplomas is ₦ 75,000.00.
While we have noted the reasons given by the state government for the increase in school fees, we make bold to say that these changes do not consider the hardship and plight of the common citizens of Kaduna State. The implication of the increase is that an average civil servant of Kaduna State earning ₦ 50,000.00 per month would have to save three months salary per annum to train a child or six months salary per annum if he has two children studying in Kaduna State University. In the first place, what percentage of parents who are indigenes or residents of Kaduna State earn at least ₦ 50,000.00 per month as income?
A government reform that disenfranchise the majority of its citizens, who are middle- and low-income earners, from access to education cannot be said to be equitable.
Many of the government officials involved in taking this hurtful decision benefitted from quality education in the past where government shouldered most of the cost of schooling. Why can’t the present government toe similar line and find alternative ways of funding education?
Education should not be seen to be sold to the ‘highest bidders’. The government must create enabling environment where the children of commoners can attain the highest level of education within reasonable means. This current policy definitely negates such.
We therefore call on the Governor of Kaduna State Mal. Nasiru el- Rufai, and Commissioner of Education Dr. Muhammad Shehu Usman Makarfi, to reverse their decision in the interest of the majority of students and make easy their affairs.
Our noble Prophet (PBUH) has stressed that ‘the best of mankind are those who bring benefit to mankind’. Please reverse this ugly policy immediately so that your government can continue to spread benefits to students in state government owned higher institutions in Kaduna State.
Thank you.
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