AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan has suspended the Students’ Union executives of the institution.
This came as the authorities of the school postponed the first semester examination initially billed to commence today, Monday January 9.
The management attributed its decision to what it described as the unwarranted and politically motivated protest embarked upon by the students of the polytechnic.
A statement signed by the Registrar, Mrs Modupe Theresa Fawale, made available to Oyo Reporters, read that the examination had been postponed until further notice while the Students’ Union is suspended indefinitely.
Describing the protest as ill-motivated and politically inclined, the statement read that the students’ union body made no formal complaint concerning the examination date, therefore, their protest to the state secretariat was questionable.
The statement, titled, ‘The Polytechnic Ibadan suspends Students Union executives, activities, postpones first semester examination, describes students’protest as politically motivated,’ read in parts that “The management noted that the students’ union breached the rule of decency by locking all the gates that lead to the institution and thereby causing unwarranted hardship to their colleagues, the staff of the institution, host communities, neighbouring University of Ibadan, and the general public, most especially those that have official transactions with The Polytechnic Ibadan.
“It is on record that The Polytechnic, Ibadan students pay one of the lowest tution fees among their contemporaries in the South-West. Payment of tuition has been made flexible and convenient as students pay 60 per cent of the tution fee during the first semester and pay the remaining 40 per cent during second semester.
“The institution has not increased tution in the last couple of years.Protesting on a day that they should be sober and commence their examination which is a major academic activities leading to the award of their diploma is ill-advised, politically motivated and, therefore, of no reasonable value to the students and, indeed, to the development of education.
“The management is reviewing the situation and will issue a statement on when the suspended examination will commenced. We appeal to the students to return to class and prepare for their examination. We also appeal to the parents and guardians to call their wards to order.”
