Date: 2017-12-04

Just this morning, students from my constituency sent me the details of the school fees that the Registrar of the Kwara State Polytechnic released for the 2017/2018 academic session through Whatsapp.

After reviewing it, I found out that there has been a deliberate attempt to confuse and mislead the state government and the general public.

It is obvious that a second year student in 2017/18 is now expected to pay N20,000 more than second year students paid in the 2016/17 session. This is contrary to the claim contained in the statement released by the institution just last week.

With the present economic situation, this increment is unacceptable. I stand by my earlier position that education must be affordable for every willing citizen because it is the bedrock of development. Any increase in the school fees must be stopped now.

I appeal to all concerned students and their families to remain calm. I am sure that the government will revisit this issue.

Thank you to all the students who spoke with me on the phone this morning and helped to provide additional insight on this issue.

Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON)

President of the Senate