VICTORY FOR LASU STUDENTS AS FASHOLA ANNOUNCES REDUCTION IN TUITION FEES

In what may be considered as victory for LASU students who protested peacefully and occupied the Lagos State Government house last week, the Lagos State Government has announced a reduction in the tuition of the state university.

The government said it would reduce the fees by between 34 per cent and 60 per cent across the different faculties and courses.

Students of the Lagos State University had staged many protests to air their grievances against the “high school fees” and had demanded its reduction.

The government had set an ad hoc committee to review contributions on the issue from stakeholders, including the students. The committee submitted its report on Monday.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Chief Fatai Olukoga, on Wednesday at a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, said after a deliberation on the recommendations of the committee, the government agreed to a downward review of the fees payable by students.

He said, “Government agrees that with the subsidised tuition fees and appropriate moderation of incidental fees, a reduction ranging from 34 per cent to 60 per cent is possible across the different faculties and courses.

“Government has therefore approved the reductions and, in accordance with the law setting up the university, forwarded its approval to the institution’s Governing Council for implementation. The council will issue details of what is now payable by students in each department.”

Olukoga added that despite the reduction, the government would continue with its research fund, scholarship and bursary provisions and increased its spending on infrastructure and physical development of LASU.

He said the government commended the students of the school for taking up the invitation to participate in the resolution of matters affecting their lives when they met with the governor.

He, however, said the extension of lecturers retirement age, as demanded by LASU chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, would not be done.

“Employees cannot unilaterally extend their retirement age, unless the employer cedes total control of the institution to employees, which is an impossible situation,” he added.

Olukoga said one-tenure term for vice chancellors and the insistence on being promoted or appointed to unavailable positions, also canvassed by ASUU, would not be implemented for now.

“It is hoped that all students and workers of the university will immediately resume their respective activities and join the government in its bid to bring LASU to a preeminent position,” he said.

Punch