By Yusuf Boluwatife
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has called out Governor Rotimi Akeredolu following the recent increase in the tuition fees of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.
The management of the state-owned institution had announced the increase in its school fees by over 100 per cent for the new 2021/2022 academic session.
The development has met with mixed reactions from stakeholders and members of the public, as many opine that the fee hike is unnecessary.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, on Sunday, the Ondo PDP said there was no reason for the state government to increase the school fees, considering the current economic challenges the state was facing.
It read in part, “The recent astronomical hike in the fees payable by students in the Ondo State Government-owned University of Medical Sciences, Ondo by the government is a silent notice to parents who cannot afford the new fees regime to withdraw their children.
“Mr Rotimi Akeredolu has never hidden his penchant for increasing fees in tertiary institutions since he assumed leadership of the state.”
It added that the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa had suffered serial closures over students’ protests bordering on fees hike which have seen numerous students drop out of school due to the inability to pay this high fees.
The PDP spokesperson also lamented that the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo had shrunk to a student population of 1,753 from over 9,000 due to incessant fees’ increase.
“There is no justification for this continuous upward review of school fees when the economy of the state is practically comatose and workers’ salaries are not only irregular but never paid in full.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter calls on the Governor and the APC led government to wear a human face in taking decisions that affect the well being of our future leaders.
“A government that only brings sorrow to the people through policies of this nature is no longer worthy of its stay in power,” the statement added.
