Following the University of Jos recent increment in what it termed
school charges from N27, 000 to N45, 000, and its attendance criticisms,
the Management of the institution has reiterated that there is no going
back on the implementation of the new charges once the new session
begins next month.
Since the increment, students, parents and
guardians had condemned it saying such coming at a time when most
families could barely feed is ill-conceived but the Management describes
the reactions as propaganda and misinformation by some leaders of the
Students Union Government saying the action is based on the
implementation of the Federal Government approved harmonized charges for
all undergraduate Students in Federal Universities in Nigeria.
In
a statement issued at the weekend and signed by the institution’s
Registrar/Secretary to Council/Senate, Mr. Monday Danjem, the Management
said its attention has been drawn to the media propaganda and
misinformation going on by some leaders of the Students Union Government
of the University explaining that the action is the implementation of
the Federal Government approved harmonized charges for all undergraduate
Students in Federal Universities in Nigeria.
It reads, “The
University Management feels compelled to put the issues in clear
perspective so that the public is not misled. The University of Jos
Management was in receipt of a letter from the Executive Secretary,
National Universities Commission (NUC) dated 22nd January, 2015
conveying the newly approved schedule of harmonized school charges to
Senate/Governing Councils of all Federal Universities for immediate
implementation.
“The directive contained in the letter followed a
recommendation made by a Committee constituted by the Honourable
Minister of Education comprising the NUC Executive Secretary; Chairman,
Committee of Pro-Chancellors; Chairman, Committee of Vice-Chancellors
and Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano that was mandated to review
and harmonize the schedule of miscellaneous charges for Undergraduate
Students in all Federal Universities.
“However, even though
Management secured the approval for the implementation of the new school
charges structure in the University, it was later agreed that there
should be a phased implementation of the policy due to the prevailing
situation in the University at that time.
“Since the
implementation of that resolution, it is apparent that the economic
situation of the country has taken a downward turn raising significantly
the cost of maintenance per student.
“The
University of Jos does not charge Tuition Fees as is being erroneously
speculated. What Students are required to pay are school charges that
are approved by Government and captured in the budget. Every item in the
School charge structure is tied to a specific cost for the services
provided e.g. Hostel Maintenance, Students Health Insurance, Library,
ICT Bandwidth and Network Maintenance, I.D. Card among several others.
This is a verifiable fact that is clearly listed in the University’s
school charges schedule.”
It added, “based on the increase in the
cost of most good and services in the country, it is no longer realistic
to continue with the old school charges and still expect to
successfully run the University on a sustainable basis. The University
incurs huge expenditure in the effort to provide a conducive learning
atmosphere for all its Students. Apart from the personnel costs and
other related expenses that the Government caters for, the University is
virtually left unaided to cater for its upkeep.
“Such necessary
services rendered to the University like cleaning services, Electricity
and other utilities, Accreditation expenses, Printing and Stationeries,
Examination Expenses, Subscription to Academic/Professional Bodies have
to be paid for at great expense to the University even as the cost for
such goods and services are frequently being hiked.
“The
University was paying a monthly charge of Twelve Million Naira
(N12,000,000) for electricity supply. This has recently been increased
to Twenty-Three Million Naira (N23,000,000) per month. The University is
now saddled with responsibility of sourcing for how it can make up for
the shortfall. By implementing the new school charges structure of
N45,000 across board, the University has done nothing illegal nor has it
gone contrary to Government regulations. Indeed, the University is only
doing the needful by complying with a clearly spelt out and properly
conveyed directive of the Federal Government.”
It would be
recalled that since the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Sabastian
Maimako, announced the review of the fees, from N27,000 to N45,000,
citing dwindling budgetary allocations, rising bills and the need to
upgrade some materials, Sydney Daman, President of the institution’s
Students Union Government, SUG had described the new charges as “too
harsh” and appealed to the students to “hold-on a bit”.
He said,
“No student should be in a hurry to pay the new fees. We are consulting
with management and shall communicate the final agreement to everyone.
We have not exhausted all the options; we are still appealing and shall
continue to meet all stakeholders, we should be responsible, mature and
peaceful while supporting the struggle for a downward review of the
charges.”
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