BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

ONITSHA – Authorities of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, NOCEN, Anambra state have denied ever imposing illegal levies or hiking fees payable by students of the institution, as alleged by some aggrieved staff and students. Some staff and students of the institution which offers National Certificate in Education, NCE and Bachelor of Education, B.Ed in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, UNN, had accused the Provost of the College, Dr. Cordelia Ego Uzoezie of high-handedness and alleged secrecy, adding that three months staff salaries are yet to be paid on the excuse that Governor Willie Obiano had not  released funds to the school

The aggrieved staff and students also criticized alleged casualization of ICT staff and constant hike in school fees, citing an example of imposition of N10,000 on each student across the NCE and B.Ed programme from year one to final year in both programmes for accreditation of courses in the College which they said was pegged by the Provost recently at N34 million They added that both programmes have about 11,000 students, and that if all students pay accreditation fee of N10, 000, the sum of N110 million,would be netted.

They also accused her of allegedly  shutting the school from press coverage of these issues by gagging staff and students from protesting, using security operatives to threaten them, adding that school fees paid by the NCE and B.Ed students across board are so astronomical.

Giving the run-down of the fees for the years NCE students for the 2015/2016 academic year, the critics alleged that year one students are charged the sum of N66,550, broken down as:  NCE Year I -tuition fee  -N15,000, library -N2,000, sports -N2,000, exam fee -N2,000, caution fee -N6,000, medical -N5,000, development levy -N15,000, moderation fee -N3,500, ID card -N2,000, general service – N2,000, certificate verification  -N2,500, and screening -N1,000.

Others are: Insurance -N2,000, teaching equipment -N2,000, academic regulations – N1,500,  PTA levy -N1,000, internet service -N1,000, SUG fee  -N1,050, totaling N66,550, excluding matriculation gown/files of N5,500, accreditation fee of N10,000, G.S. textbooks- N3,100, College official T-Cap -N2,000, AFRIHUB fee -N8,750 (compulsory) payable at Fidelity Bank, notice: Hostel facilities (optional), open accommodation -N10,000, partitioned  accommodation -N18,000, newest  hostel -N22,000, noting that school fees are payable at all banks.

Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe is on an e-transact payment platform. On hostel accommodation,  they alleged that it cannot be granted for all students, but allocated on the basis of first come first served, adding that those who wish to be allocated college hostel accommodations are advised to report to the Dean of Student Affairs with the bursary receipts showing payment for such accommodation.

“For degree students, they alleged that Academic year.YEAR 2, 3 & 4 students are to pay the sum of  N68, 050.00 As fees which breakdown is as follows:DEGREE YEAR 2, 3 & 4 Tuition fee18,000 Library 2,500 Sports 2,000 Exam fee 3,000 Medical 4,000 Development levy15,000 Moderation fee 3,000 Caution fee 5,000 General service 3,000 Affiliation fee 4,500 Insurance 2,500 Teaching equipment 3,000“PTA levy 1,000 Internet service 1,000 SUG fee 550, totaling N68, 050.00 Accreditation Fee N10,000.00“G.S Text books N3,100.00 College official T-Cap  N2,000.00 Open Accommodation N10,000

“However in a swift reaction, the Director of Research and Publication, Prof. Maduewesi, said the staffers had been paid October salaries at the moment, adding that those saying they are owed three months salary arrears are liars, adding that the Provost is trying her best to urgment government’s low subvention for salaries.

“Also speaking, the out-going President of Students Union Government, SUG,  Emmanuel Akwobi said he made enquiries and discovered that the same payments are applicable to other sister colleges of education in the country, adding that although some students cannot afford the payments, but it is said who ever wants to get education should be prepared to pay for it.

“The Provost, Uzoezie, through the College Public Relations Officer, told newsmen that most of the fees are on the website as introduced by the state government, adding that there was nothing like personal introduction of fees by the school authorities, adding that if the students are not ready to pay for the accreditation fee, they might end up schooling for years  without passing out as a result of non accreditation of their respective courses.“