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KUST postpones increment of tuition, hostel charges as ASUU condemns hike
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil (KUST) has postponed the implementation of its new tuition and accommodation charges, following an outcry by the varsity’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
KANO FOCUS reports that the deferment of the fees hike came just a day after the increment was announced.
On Wednesday, the KUST had announced that returning Kano state students would pay N30,800 for registration instead of N21,500 while fresh students were to pay N33,500 as against the N23,200 they used to pay.
Also, the university said non-native and foreign students are to pay N44,800 and N96,000 as tuition fees respectively.
As for students’ accommodation, the university had raised the charges from 5,090 to N10,090.00 per session, according to a statement by Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya, the varsity’s deputy registrar, information and public relations.
But in another statement on Thursday, Mr Nayaya said the implementation of the new charges would take effect from 2020/2021 academic session instead of 2019/2020.
Mr Nayaya, stated that the decision was reached at the 94th meeting of the University Senate, held on Thursday, following an intervention by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, “who pledged to support the University with the shortfall for 2019/2020 Academic Session.”
Meanwhile the KUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Shehu Alhaji Musa, announced 8 March 2020 as the resumption date for the new academic session.
Professor Musa urged both new and returning students to face their studies with “all seriousness”.
Tuition, hostel fees hike “highly insensitive”–ASUU
However, ASUU- KUST chapter condemned the increase in students’ registration and accommodation fees, describing the action as “insensitive.”
In a statement, the branch chairperson of the union, Comrade Muhammad Sani Gaya said the hike is “highly insensitive looking at the difficult economic situation in the country.”
Mr Gaya added that the fees increment undermines the Kano state policy on free and compulsory education.
“For the avoidance of doubt the Union categorically reiterates its earlier resolution at its Congress held on Thursday, 16th January, 2020 and its press release of Thursday, 30th January, 2020 of total rejection of this dangerous venture due to the unreliability of the data used by the management to arrive at the reviewed charges,” he said.
‘Hidden charges’
The ASUU-KUST chairperson further added that the services rendered from the funds generated from the registration fees paid by the students were unjustifiable.
Mr Gaya also alleged that “stakeholders and the general public may also wish to note that the university authority wittingly concealed the actual amount to be paid by the students (there are hidden charges).”
“The actual amount to be paid as indicated in the Wednesday, 26th February, 2020 press release signed by one Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya does not in any way correspond with what was approved to be paid.
“For instance, a fresh Geography student (an indigene of Kano State) is to pay N33, 700 (university charges), N5,000 field course, N10,090 (hostel charges), N2,000 (field course local charges), N200 (SGS charges), N500 (entrepreneurship charges) totaling N51,490.
“Couple with the lack of accountability, this is coming at a time of extravagant and bogus expenditure by the university management.
“Since the re-introduction of registration fees by the university in 2015/2016 session there was never a year when audited report was presented before the council in violation of Section 31 of the university law,” the ASUU-KUST said.
Headlines
Education Renaissance: Governor Yusuf to Boost Learning and Safety in Kano’s Public Schools
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Kano’s public schools, with a particular focus on upgrading infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.
Speaking during a visit to Governor’s College on Thursday, Governor Yusuf inspected newly delivered furniture and instructional materials provided by the Ministry of Education.
He noted that these efforts are part of a broader initiative to revitalize public primary, junior, and secondary schools across the state, reversing the deteriorating state of the education sector.
The Governor was warmly received by enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff at the college, where he promised swift reforms aimed at strengthening the academic experience and preparing students for a bright future.
He also expressed pride in the improvements made at the school and announced plans to further enhance the capacity of the teaching staff.
Governor Yusuf revealed that his administration is set to construct a pedestrian bridge near the College, along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, to ensure student safety and prevent accidents.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s determination to tackle the challenges facing the education sector, promising that the declared state of emergency in education would result in significant progress and the restoration of Kano’s educational prestige.
Headlines
KSCHMA coverage increased by 37% in 15 months – E.S
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Headlines
EU partners UNICEF to enhance school safety, quality education in Kano
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.