Private universities have raised the alarm over what their leadership said was discriminatory and harsh treatment by the federal government. To this end, they are set to collectively forward a bill by way of protest to each of the state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly for the matter to be well-addressed.
Vice Chancelor of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Celestine Ntuen, who spoke on the issue said: “We are facing discrimination from federal government.
We are preparing our position paper to be sent to the state Houses of Assembly and National Assembly on Citizen Equity in Education.” The academic don stated that government, whether at state or federal levels, prefer to move substantial amount of money to public universities and to subsidise fees to students attending such schools even when such money end up in individuals’ pockets.
The professor wondered what was wrong if government, as done in other climes, also subsidise fees to students from their own states but studying at private universities which provide close attention to students.
“Why shouldn’t state governments give scholarships and financial support to students from their states, and private universities?
Federal and state governments should do the same thing for their citizens even as they do so in their public schools? With the discrimination, where therefore is the citizens right? Where is the equity?
If state universities are built it must be important for all the potential students from such states to be given capacities to benefit; or complementary scholarship at private schools”, he argued.
According to him, private schools were facing huge funding challenge even though they were better equipped and provide more quality education with certainty to graduate students at due time.
He said that Nigerians do not appreciate private universities the way they ought to. “They see it as a wealthy man’s business. That should not be the case. Private institutions should receive support and funding from many people, including government,” he said.
On the issue of cultism which has become worrisome to parents and school managers, the academic don recommended close monitoring of students by their handlers and teachers.
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