•Hon. Lukman Adeleye
The Ogun House of Assembly has upheld the appeal by the minority leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye to State-owned tertiary institutions to reconsider the plight of parents and students, especially the indigent ones, by further reviewing downward, the recently increased tuition fees.
The 26 – member assembly led by Speaker Kunle Oluomo upheld the submission of Hon. Adeleye representing Odogbolu State Constituency who drew his colleagues’ attention to it tuition fees hike under Personal Explanation during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The minority leader had appealed to State – owned tertiary institutions to review downward the recently hiked tuition fees and consider the plight of parents at this time, especially indigent students.
He recalled that the recent protest by students of the Tai Solarin College of Education(TASCE) following the announcement of increment of school fees by the management, said it was normal to wade in to avoid throwing the students out of school.
The lawmaker said, the increment could prevent some from furthering their education and this would in no small measures have negative effect on the State.
Respinding, Oluomo acknowledged the adverse effects of the economic challenges being faced by parents, and noted that it was important for the Heads of the tertiary institutions to show more compassion and empathy by allowing the new fees wear human face so as not to put the students at disadvantage.
He explained that though the institutions might have the compelling need to increase their fees to meet their pressing needs in view of the high rate of inflation but the fees should be affordable.
The Speaker then referred the issue to the house committee on education and tasked the committee on the need to invite the school heads to come and explain to the house on the reason for the increment.
