Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State have taken to the streets in protest the school management's decision to impose a compulsory N5,000 examination fee.
The students, numbering over 1,000 and from various departments, expressed their discontent through placards and solidarity songs, demanding a reversal of the policy.
The protest, which took place on Wednesday, saw students carrying placards with various grievances written on them. Among their demands were the reduction of the cost of textbooks, permission to undergo medical and data capture procedures, and a halt to what they described as the exclusion of non-paying students from sitting for exams.
The students marched from the school's main gate to the administrative building, departments, and even the permanent site, emphasizing their rejection of the examination fee and calling for transparency in the breakdown of tuition fees.
One student, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, "We are tired of being burdened with additional fees. Education should be accessible to all, without financial barriers." Another protester expressed, "The management's decision is unjust and unfair. We demand accountability and fairness in the administration of our institution."
