Don’t deceive us with free education promises, students tell politicians

National Association of University Students (NAUS) yesterday told aspirants into various offices not to deceive them with promises of free education.

NAUS Deputy Secretary General, Ogochukwu Isioma, gave the warning while delivering a lecture entitled: “If education cannot be free, it should be affordable,” at a Student Leaders’ Symposium in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Ogochukwu charged the aspirants to ensure that they meet up with the 26 per cent United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommended benchmark, if elected, instead of making empty promises.
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He said: “NAUS is of the opinion that they should rather devote their time and energy, and concentrate more on meeting up with the recommendation, if elected.

Ogochukwu cited the bane of education to include the “lack of proper funding, inadequate facilities, lack of scholarships for research, and failure of successive governments to invest adequately in education.

Others are poor leadership, uncontrolled population, poor working conditions and environment in our universities.

He, however, argued that all hope is not lost in country’s education sector, given the right policy and leaders.

Another student leader, Gbenga Taiwo, sought a review of the 7.04 per cent allocation to education in the 2018 budget, which he said was inadequate.