Open Letter to Governor of Kaduna State on school fees hike

The fear is that if Kaduna State goes ahead with the implementation of the increment many states may follow suit.

For me and many, we perceive that the exponential increase in school fees of Kaduna State tertiary institutions will only crush the hope of Nigerian students from acquiring education.

The fear is that if Kaduna State goes ahead with the implementation of the increment many states may follow suit.

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Yes, education is expensive but it is the responsibility of every government to invest in it for the good of its citizens, state and the country because ignorance is a deadly disease.

Sir, I must commend your government for doing much in the educational sector of the state. Having you as governor of Kaduna State has changed many stories of poor education in the state.

Primary education in the state is not just free but compulsory for every child of Kaduna State indigene.

Kaduna State made history because it was the first state to start feeding primary school pupils in Nigeria, before the federal government got involved and this idea helped in restoring the lost glory of basic education in the state and Nigeria.

Also, I recall that in 2015 your administration provided 770,000 units of furniture to all primary schools in the state to replace the broken ones. Similarly, in 2016, more than 400 schools were targeted for renovation in the state while many were expanded to accommodate more pupils.

To draw the attention of youths to learning, secondary school education  was made free for all female students with a token amount for males in Senior Secondary School.

Truly, education in Kaduna State was repositioned to its past standard but the sudden increase  of school fees in all the tertiary institutions in the state will not go well with the students who benefitted from the kind offer of free education.

The Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Scholarships and Loans Board has said the board is assisting students with scholarship but statistics has shown out of the almost 10,000 applicants only 500  got the  scholarship.

Malam, you are a leader of purpose and focus, a leader for the poor, the rich and all.  Kaduna State as a centre for learning, centre and heart of the North. It should lead in all facets of learning and give good examples to other northern states.

Our governor, you have achieved a lot in making education prime  and your superb ideas had tackled the menace of youth restlessness because of your laudable achievements in the education sector.

Sir, those proposed school fees are meant for the poor students and that is why as a student who finished from public school, I chose this medium to plead with you, on behalf of all the students who believe this increment will crash their hopes and dreams, to have a second thought about the decision.

We hope you will not relent in your effort of supporting education at all levels in the state.

Hussaina Ibrahim Danja wrote from Kaduna