From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
National Assembly member for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Terseer Ugbor has faulted the alleged plan by management of the Benue State University, BSU, Makurdi, to increase tuition fee by 80%.
The lawmaker, who made this position known while reacting to alleged proposal in a statement by his Media Aide, Fred Dagu, at the weekend in Makurdi, argued that if not checked the measure was capable of igniting unwarranted students protest, general strike as well as increasing hardship on parents and condemned the proposed increment.
He argued that while it was the prerogative of the Benue State Government to raise school fees to enhance the quality of education, government on the other hand must set up reforms meant to alleviate the financial burden of most especially the disadvantaged students, stressing that the economic hardships aggravated by inflation alongside insecurity have both adversely affected the livelihoods of numerous families describing the proposed increment as ill-timed.
The Kwande/Ushongo National Assembly representative, expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of educational policies in the state that promote higher education, advocating for thorough reforms in policies of higher education in the state which promotes academic excellence.
He also lamented lack of reward system for exceptional students and the deficiency of sponsorship for advanced degrees through the Benue scholarship Board, advising the state government to establish a loan programme for Benue students pursuing higher education to complement the Nigeria Education Loan Fund,NELFUND, initiated by the Oresident Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Ugbor also called on the Benue State government to revive the state Scholarship Board which has gone comatose, arguing that advancement of education is essential to societal progress and urged Benue State government to prioritise policies that render the cost of education more affordable and appealing to all students.
