EDUCATION: COE, Katsina-Ala shutdown over fees increment

Academic activities at College of Education, Kastina-Ala, Benue State were shutdown today as students protested against a hike in their school fees.

The protest which took place in the earlier this morning saw students take to the streets in their hundreds, with placards and palm fronds to express their displeasure over the development.

Excellent Readers BSU gathered that the state Ministry of Education had approved an over 100% increase in the school fees of the College from N20,000 to N41,500. Development levy which was paid at the rate of N5,000 in three years was made a yearly payment, while assumption fees for pre-NCE were also increased from N5,000 to N10,000.

Addressing the protesting students, the Provost of the College, Prof. M. O. Nder pleaded with them to exercise patience and end their protest.

He said he was billed to meet with the state Governor, Samuel Ortom over the matter and promised to brief the students about the outcome in two days time.

Recall that few months ago, a similar increase in school fees in Benue State University sparked a student protest that forced the government to revert to old rates.