Parents Decry Hike In Tuition Fees At ABUAD For Medical Students

Parents of students at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), one of the private tertiary Institutions in Nigeria have decried hike in the tuition fees being paid by about 400 students admitted into the  Institution's medical school which is over N4million per student

Provost of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Ogundipe had announced the new fees as follows, Fresh Students (100level)Pre-Medicine N4,557,500 200 Level First Year Medicine,N5,586,000, 300Level Second Year,N5,586,000.CLINICAL Students from 400level N4,281,000 

It was learnt that the university has a quota from the Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria,MDCAN to produce only 100 graduates, meaning 300 students which is equivalent of the 75% of the 400students admitted will not graduate after six years

But one of the concerned parents who pleaded anonymity in an interview with newsmen over the increase, accused the university of being fraudulent by admitting 400students to study medicine when it could only produce 100 graduates at the end of six-year medical programme

According to the parent,"ABUAD admitted 400 students for the first year, with tuition fee of N4,000,000, knowing only 100 could graduate, now more than 75% of the students passed the exams and the only option they have is use tuition fees to drop some students"

"This children have been under stress and tension since the process is purely based on merit. After collecting so much money already you now increase school fees to drive and WEED away students .the institution has not done well in this regards. I don't see integrity and uprightness in this actions,"the parent lamented

The parent expressed displeasure over the situation saying that the university was quick in increasing fees without waiting releasing the results for the first session of the medical programme

"Parents are still awaiting the first session of their wards' academic performances, the reasons for the increments are not defined nor discussed with other stakeholders and no prior notice of increment was given to parents for adjustment or better still make alternative arrangement for their wards"

The parent described the situation of hostel facilities at the university as worrisome,saying the lecture halls are overcrowded with dilapidated facilities while prices of foods at the canteen are not affordable for children to buy and urged the institution to urgently release the first and second semester results of the students.