By Praise Chinecherem
Management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko led by the Ag.Rector , Dr. Uche Onyegbu has denied any hike in the examination fee of the institution, describing purveyors of such malicious story as enemies who do not mean well for the institution.
Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Chijioke Ibeziako in a statement, explained that the N5,000 examination fee which the students claimed was imposed on them was an old fee approved by the then Governing Council of the Polytechnic.
He explained that the present management has ensured that school fees paid by the students were moderate and within the reach of the students.
He also revealed that the examination fee is part of the cumulative fees that were approved for payment by students per session insisting that Federal Polytechnic Oko is not the only tertiary institution that pay examination fee.
While advising the students not to allow themselves to be used as tools in hands of those with intention to foment trouble in order to achieve their ulterior motives, Ibeziako assured adequate protection of their interests, just as he urged them to go ahead with their examination as scheduled.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko has been drawn to the news story making the rounds on the social media domain and some mainstream media on alleged imposition of examination fee on students by the Management.
“This is to say the least a disservice and injustice to the Polytechnic Management which has ensured that school fees paid by students are moderate and within reach.
“The N5,000 examination fee in question is an old fee which was approved by the then Governing Council and students were informed about it. It is part of the cumulative fees that were approved for payment by students per session.
“It is not far-fetched that other tertiary institutions pay examination fee. In fact, in many institutions, this fee is higher than that of Federal Polytechnic, Oko. There is no Institution where services are rendered without some form of payment.
“Following a circular released by the SUG President to the students not to pay the examination fee, Management in its characteristic open door policy held series of interactions with the SUG officials. As a result, agreement was reached and memorandum of understanding signed by the student union president and Management in the presence of NANS officials for students to continue paying the examination fee. We have evidence of this.
“Management also assured the students officials that students can continue writing the exam while they pay the exam fee.
“However, to the chagrin of Management, the student union president later reneged on this agreement and released a circular to students that first semester examination already scheduled for commencement will not hold as scheduled and directed students to stay away from school.
“In fact, in the early hours of the morning the examinations were scheduled to commence, he led some students to block the school gate, barring students who were coming to write the exams from entering the school premises.
“This agitation against the exam fee is therefore surprising and clearly portrays the hand of fifth columnists who do not mean well for the Ag.Rector and the Management and are bent on sabotaging the system for their selfish and inordinate ambition.
“Nonetheless, the Ag.Rector in order to avoid any crisis directed against using any force to stop the illegal blockade thereby ensuring normalcy and calmness in the Institution.
“The exam fee and other fees paid by students are legally approved as contained in the fee schedule issued to students upon registration and are in line with what is obtainable in other institutions. Interestingly from analysis, Federal Polytechnic Oko has a very moderate school fees regime and is in fact one of the Institutions with the least school fees.
“The agitation against the examination fees by few misguided students is unfortunate, misleading, unnecessary, uncalled for and misplaced as the Ag.Rector since assumption of office has taken steps that enhance staff and students welfare, and has distinguished himself as one of the best staff/students friendly Chief Executive.
“His strong sense of commitment and diligence has promptly resolved persistent challenges associated with exam materials, printing of students results and has achieved ease of doing business on campus.
“The Management implores students not to allow themselves to be used by those who want to foment trouble in order to achieve their ulterior motives.
“Management is assuring the students that their interest will always be protected and therefore urge them to go and write the first semester examination as every student will be accommodated.”
