The immediate candidate for the Federal House of Representative under the platform of Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP), for Dekina/ Bassa, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, has strongly criticized the recent decision by the Kogi State Government to raise school fees for public secondary school students from N2000 to N4000.
This move according to him is seen as regressive and will further impoverished the already vulnerable members of society.
” The 100% fee hike is expected to result in a significant number of students dropping out due to their inability to afford the new fees”
He lamented, ‘It is disheartening that while many states like: Taraba , Enugu, Anambra, Ogun , Osun and Ogun are implementing free education policies from primary to secondary schools, Kogi State is taking a different path”.
He said, “Governor Usman Ododo’s administration’s decision is viewed as anti-people and will worsen the already challenging situation in public secondary schools in the state.
Instead of increasing fees, the government should prioritize improving the secondary school system by investing in critical infrastructure that is currently in a state of disrepair.
The neglect of these facilities has created an unfavorable learning environment, and the new fee policy will only make it more difficult for students to access education.
The heightened school fees will disproportionately impact the less privileged, who are already facing financial difficulties.
With four terms in a year, each student will now be required to pay a total of N16,000.00, a sum that many families cannot afford.
This will only add to the burden faced by underprivileged students.
The government’s lack of significant education policies and this recent decision highlight their misplaced priorities.
It is crucial for the government to reconsider this move and strive towards establishing an inclusive and accessible education system for all.
The people of Kogi State are calling for a reversal of this unfavorable policy and a commitment to investing in the education sector.