The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar zone, has condemned the education loan policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying that it will put the students into high indebtedness.

The Calabar Zonal Coordinator of ÀSUU, Happiness Uduk, said this at a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Monday, May 27, 2024.

Uduk, who described the proliferation of universities in the country as a worrisome trend, said: “Instead of loans, let the money be put into intervention projects in tertiary institutions.”

The ASUU official noted that the trend was not in the interest of the nation’s education sector, adding that rather than establish more universities, governments and other stakeholders should ensure adequate funding of the existing ones.

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She said: “The proliferation of universities across the country is not in the best interest of the education sector. The existing ones should be adequately funded.

“It is better to strengthen the existing universities than to put more stress on the funding system.”

The ASUU zonal coordinator said the country needed universities with the requisite equipment and facilities to enhance learning.

“We do not need glorified secondary schools, efforts should be made to position our universities for optimal performance,” Uduk added.

She further called for the reinstatement of the suspended academic union leaders in Ebonyi State University, saying the suspended leaders had yet to be reinstated in spite of a judgement of the National Industrial Court in their favour.

Uduk also urged the Abia State Government to pay arrears of 11 months’ salaries and other allowances owed members of the union.

She expressed displeasure over the high cost of living in the country, saying: “Many Nigerians are hungry and facing severe hardship.”

The ASUU coordinator called on the Federal Government to take steps towards reducing the poverty level in the country.

The Star