From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani on Monday announced 50 and 30 percent reduction in school fees for the State university, polytechnic and other higher institutions respectively.
Recalled that the immediate past governor of the State, Nasir El-rufai had during his tenure announced 100 percent increase of school fees in government owned higher institutions in the State.
Addressing a press conference, governor Sani said the decision to reduce the fees in respective institutions of learning was in line with his administration’s commitment to the citizens of the State to run a people- centred and all-inclusive government that shall leave no one or any part of the State behind.
He said, “In furtherance of this commitment, we have taken steps to provide succour to the poor, underserved and vulnerable in Kaduna State. My first Executive Order was on Financial Inclusion. This was pursuant to the State Government’s efforts to address the exclusion of about 2.1 million poor, underserved and vulnerable citizens in Kaduna State and to ensure they benefit from the State and Federal Government’s Social Intervention Programmes.
“Human Capital Development is a key pillar of our SUSTAIN Agenda. It is well educated and healthy persons that have the skills to exercise initiative and the vigour for the hard work that is required to build a strong society and a prosperous economy. Our administration has therefore prioritized Access to Education for Children and Youths of Kaduna State.
“In response to the public outcry over the current fees being charged by tertiary institutions in Kaduna State and its effect on school enrolment and retention. I directed Heads of Tertiary Institutions in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to obtain relevant information on the extant fees regime in state owned tertiary institutions.
“At the end of their assignment, they noted that the extant fees regime in the state-owned tertiary institutions is burdensome and has led to a significant decline in student enrolments.
“That the extant fees has made many students to either abandon the pursuit of tertiary education or moved to alternative institutions.
“That to reverse the trend mentioned, it is imperative that a competitive fees model should be adopted in our tertiary institutions.
“That the competitive fees model responds to current realities and promotes access to quality education.
As a caring, responsive and responsible government, we have accepted the recommendations and accordingly reviewed the fees downwards.
“This downward review of the extant fees regime aligns with our commitment to offer palliatives to cushion the effect of general rising cost of living in the polity, especially in the wake of recent petroleum subsidy removal in Nigeria.
“The welfare of the people is our topmost priority. Our administration shall continue to take all measures necessary to ensure access to free and qualitative education for every child in Kaduna State from primary to secondary school; expand access to higher education; enhance Teachers’ Welfare & Teaching Standards; improve School Infrastructure; build ICT competence in our students from basic education level; and intensify investments in Technical & Vocational Education”.