January 18, 2022
By Aruna Kamara in Bo
Students of Njala University have expressed their utter disappointment and frustration over the increment of fees from four million to five million Leones this year.
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper in a down mood at Towama Location, Bo Campus on Monday, 17 January 2022, a student in the second year, Jusu Brima said that they were surprised to see this year increment in fees which is not commensurate to the facilities available on Campus.
Brima said that they are expecting the current Student Union Government to advocate for the reduction of the fees, which was part of the manifesto commitment of the Student Union Government headed by Iye Abu.
Madam Hussantu Mansaray, Spokesperson to the Student President of Njala University, Bo Campus, said that “the attention of the Student Union Government has been drawn to the increment of fees and I want the students to know that our president is committed to fulfilling the manifesto commitment of advocating to the welfare of the students.”
Madam Mansaray added that “the SU government has engaged the administration of the University on the reduction of the fees but the administration told them that the fees increment is done in consensus with the central government.”
According to her, the administration intimated the SU Government that they did not increase the fees but charges on internet connectivity, health and students Identification Card, claiming that ‘we are not enjoying any those facilities.’
“I do not even have an ID card as a student in second year and in my first year they were singing the same music that when you pay your fees facilities like that will be provided for the students but to no avail, ’she said, noting that “I want the student body to know that that the Iye Abu administration is committed to advocating for the welfare of the students”, Madam Mansaray said.
She further that the SU government promised to provide transportation for students, and presently there is a bus provided by the New Harvest Global Ministry which has cushion the transportation problem.
Reacting to the concerns of the aggrieved students, the Public Relations Assistant of Njala University, Ayuba Koroma said that “in the University there is a structure and the Student Union Government is part of every meeting where issues are discussed around the development of the University.”
Mr. Koroma added that there is increment in prices both national and globally and everybody that is working advocates for conditions of service and the increment is not that much as it is done on few charges. Some of the lecturers and administrators have their children in the university and we cannot ask for exorbitant amount.” He added that “academia is not cheap thing.”
He noted that the University is paying 25% of allowance to it staff, which is from the internally generated revenue of the University and that casual workers are also catered for.
“For Njala campus, it is the University that provides water for the students which cost a lot of money and that a lot of money are spent to provide quality services for the students”, Mr. Koroma said.
He pointed out that they are providing a robust internet service for the students and also putting system in place to upgrade the health facilities for the students.’’
A Civil Society activist, Rejina Kome Kajue called on the Minister of Technical and Higher Education to speedily look into the reduction of the fees as most parents will find it challenging to afford to pay for their children.