NGO urges Gov. Fashola to reverse LASU fees

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Sunday urged Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to reverse the high tuition fees at Lagos State University (LASU). SERAP, a civil society group, made the appeal in Lagos in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni. The group said it considered the increase in the tuition fees as “manifestly unfair, unjust, discriminatory and retrogressive”. It advised Fashola to ensure that no LASU student would be denied access to education because of their inability to pay the high fees. “By reversing the tuition fees, your government will be demonstrating its sacred duty to promote equality in the society and showing respect for international law requiring states to move towards free higher education when setting fees policy. “Increased fees limit access to education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and directly violate the right to education. “If the fees are allowed to stand, society as a whole will suffer. “We believe that next in importance to freedom and justice is access to quality education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be maintained. “The increased tuition fees have constituted a disincentive to poorer students attending LASU because we continue to receive reports of decreasing level of enrolment to the school due primarily to the increased fees,” SERAP added. It said the increased tuition fees discriminated against poorer students as most students wishing to attend LASU could not do so because of their economic and social conditions. “Their (students) right of access to education is clearly being severely curtailed, if not extinguished. “A hike in fees cannot be in the best interest of the child, which is a fundamental principle entrenched in international law, in particular, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria has ratified.” According to the group, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides that higher education should be made equally accessible to all on the basis of capacity and by every appropriate means. “The covenant thus requires all states to introduce progressively free university education in all subjects and at postgraduate level as well. “Education aims to provide the child with life skills, strengthen the child’s capacity to enjoy the full range of human rights and promote a culture which is infused by appropriate human rights values. “Non-discrimination and economic accessibility mean that education must be accessible to all, especially the most disadvantaged students,” SERAP said. The group also asked the governor to establish a fellowship system that would enhance equality of educational access for students from disadvantaged groups. (NAN)