By: Felix Ikpotor
Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has called on the authorities of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (KENPOLY) in Rivers State to rescind its decision to stop students from taking examinations over non-payment of school.
The youth body in a statement by its President-General, Legborsi Yamaabana described the decision as barbaric and condemnable.
He said: “It is insensitive on the part of the authorities of KENPOLY to be frustrating students they were supposed to help graduate on time. This development has reduced KENPOLY to the level of secondary school where students are chased away for non-payment of school fees. This is alien to tertiary education system and those who made the decision have no respect for education”.
He said students should be allowed to pursue their education unhindered and be compelled to clear all outstanding school fees upon graduation and before collection of their certificates.
OYF noted that the future of KENPOLY students, majority of whom are from Rivers State, are being tampered with as not taking the exams will amount to not going for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with their colleagues from other institutions and repeating extra year which involves extra cost.
The body therefore, called on the Governor of Rivers State and Visitor to the polytechnic, Chief Nyesom Wike to prevail on the school authorities to rescind the decision and save parents and guardians from frustration.
It was reported that management of the school on Monday, entered the examination halls and asked some students yet to pay their fees out of the hall which later sparked a protest by some affected students on the campus.
However, management of the school is yet to react to the situation at the time of this report.
