Students of Senior Secondary School, Bunu, in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest round the community over alleged indiscriminate demands for various fees totalling N43,000 by the school’s principal, Mr Gbarawi Best Nathaniel.
The students called on the Rivers State Government and relevant education authorities to intervene and investigate the allegations, which they said had raised concerns about their welfare and academic experience.
In a protest letter presented to the community’s paramount ruler by the Senior Prefect Boy, Goka Sule, the students alleged that the principal demanded N20,000 for admission, N10,000 for a WAEC calculator and N13,000 as sports fees.
They also questioned the alleged collection of sports fees, claiming that no sports programmes were being conducted in the school.
The students appealed to the Commissioner for Education, community leaders and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter and take appropriate action if the allegations are established.
They urged the authorities to ensure transparency in school administration and protect students’ interests.
Some inscriptions on the placards carried by the students say they are tired of being sent home over fees and demanded for a new principal.
Even though the allegations had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report, however, the Divers State Government had previously warned all school heads against charging and collecting illegal and unapproved fees from students at pupils of public schools in the state.
