The recent surge in tuition fees at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree has sparked outrage, with the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Osun State chapter, vehemently denouncing the increment and calling for its immediate reversal.
Emmanuel Olowu, the state chairman of CDHR, lambasted the fee hike, labeling it as a blatant infringement on Nigerians’ right to accessible and affordable education, especially in the wake of fuel subsidy removal. Olowu further emphasized that the move contradicts Governor Ademola Adeleke’s electoral promises to the citizens of Osun State.
The group emphasized, “Education is a fundamental human right, and any attempt to commercialize it goes against the principles of justice, fairness, and societal advancement.”
The CDHR’s statement expressed concern over the timing of the fee increment, citing its unreasonableness amidst the nation’s grappling with the removal of fuel subsidy.
Previously, the students of the institution and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had expressed their discontent with the Osun Poly management over the decision to raise tuition fees. However, Tope Alabi, the school’s spokesperson, defended the fee increment, arguing that it was necessary due to the untenable nature of the previous fee structure.
The demands for reversal have intensified, with stakeholders seeking a resolution through a scheduled meeting between the school management and concerned parties.
The call for the annulment of the tuition fee hike resonates beyond Osun State, underscoring the global significance of affordable education as a cornerstone of societal progress and equity.
