The Ebonyi State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the federal government's Student Loan scheme, labeling it as unsustainable and questioning its viability.
Dr. Ikechuku Igwenyi, Chairman of the EBSU-ASUU chapter, voiced concerns during a briefing in Abakaliki, the state capital. He argued that the scheme fails to address the deeper issues facing Nigeria's education sector, which has long suffered from chronic underfunding.
Igwenyi pointed out the severe degradation of public primary and secondary education in Nigeria, where teachers are among the lowest-paid public servants, earning less than $20 per month. This has led many students to shift from public to private schools, where they face significant financial exploitation for perceived better quality education.
He argued that the same issues are now impacting higher education institutions, and ASUU remains committed to resisting what it views as damaging policies. The union is calling for a renegotiation of several demands, including improved funding for the revitalization of universities, enhanced autonomy, and the protection of academic freedom.
The ASUU chairman criticized various government policies, including the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances, the imposition of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and interference with university autonomy through policies like the Central Control Mechanism for Academic Staffing (CCMAS). He also highlighted issues such as the proliferation of unregulated state and private universities without adequate funding capacity.
Igwenyi emphasized that the focus should be on addressing these foundational problems rather than implementing what he describes as "diversionary policies" such as the Student Loan Scheme.
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