A gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Professor Adeolu Akande has advised the governments of Oyo and Osun States to revisit the recent hike in school fees at the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho.
Prof Akande said the hike may truncate the career aspirations of many students of the institution if not quickly reveiwed.
The fees in the troubled university was reportedly increased by about 100 percent last week with medical students having to pay between N200,000 and N300,0000.
Prof Akande who issued the statement in Ogbomosho while on consultations with stakeholders in the town also said the government of Oyo state should review her priorities to assign more resources to the education sector so as to reduce the burden been borne by citizens of the states for the education of their children.
Prof Akande said while it is noteworthy that the states are experiencing financial constraints, it is important to place priority on the education of the children and youths because they are the future of the country.
He also said it was high time Oyo State placed emphasis on agriculture, tourism and solid minerals to generate resources which will make the government provide needed services to the citizenry.
“Government should no longer hide under low financial allocation from the federal government to shy away from its responsibilities. The education, health and welfare of the people should be on the priority list of any government”, he noted.
He opined that the UNESCO has set a 26 percent benchmark for education in developing societies, saying every government should aspire to achieve the milestone.
“The education of children and our youths should not be sacrificed on the altar if financial difficulties. A child who is educated is not an asset to himself and his family alone. He is indeed an asset for the development of the state. The situation at LAUTECH is particularly important because it is billed to equip the undergraduates with the skill to earn a living.
“It is the responsibility of every government to assist every citizen to be the best he can. This responsibility makes it incumbent on the government to make education affordable to the citizens. This responsibility cannot be wished away on account of financial constraints”, Akande said.
” The reality of our society is that many indigent students are struggling to see themselves through school. The least the government should do is to support them in their quest foe better life. Not to complicate their woes.
Akande also counselled that it is high time the government introduced students loan in addition to bursary awards to help students through school.
“The Student Loans system should be revisited so that government can help indigent students fund their education and repay the loan when their salaries reach a threshold.”
