Potential consequences of tuition increase: ASUU warns of possible 50% drop in student enrollment wi
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, has expressed concern about the potential dropout rate of 40 to 50 percent among students in the next two years. He believes this alarming situation could be averted if the Federal Government takes action to halt the ongoing increase in university fees.
Osodeke conveyed this message during a recent interview on Channels TV, where he discussed the current state of the Nigerian education sector. He emphasized that the exorbitant fees imposed on students nationwide could lead to a significant number of students being unable to afford their education, ultimately resulting in a high dropout rate.
He cautioned, "Should no action be taken to address the escalating fees implemented by educational institutions across the nation, we may witness a situation where, within the next two or three years, over 40 to 50 percent of the current students in schools will discontinue their education."
The president of the universities' union also sounded a warning about the potential emergence of a significant national issue if his forecast of a widespread student dropout crisis materializes. He explained that dropping out of school would expose these students to idleness, making them vulnerable to nefarious individuals and activities.
"Once they abandon their education, they will become susceptible targets for recruitment by those who aim to create unrest and chaos in the country."
"What we are advocating for is a return to the educational environment we had in the 1960s and 1970s. During my time as a student, the government provided financial support to students. Let's create an environment where even the children of low-income families can access quality education.
How can we expect the children of parents earning just N50,000 a month to afford school fees as high as N300,000?
Nevertheless, he urged the government to allocate a more substantial portion of the total budget, at least 15 percent, to education. He lamented the meager 3.8 percent allocation to education in the previous budget, stressing that increasing the budget for education would alleviate the financial burden on parents struggling to pay exorbitant fees for their children's education.
Furthermore, he expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the government's student loan policy, asserting that it requires a comprehensive review to have any chance of success. "To make student loans viable," he said, "a thorough overhaul is necessary, as there is currently no evidence to suggest its effectiveness."
"A review is imperative. We should examine historical precedents to determine a way forward. In our perspective, rather than labeling it a loan, we should term it a grant.
"When you scrutinize the eligibility criteria, you'll find that 90 percent of students won't qualify for this loan. The requirement that parents earn less than N500,000 annually is stringent. How many individuals earn less than N500,000 per year?" he questioned.
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